Summer Autumn 24
GUEST ARTIST Ltd SKATEBOARD DECK
Edition Run White 1/50 | Black 1/50
Locations are just as much a subject of the work as the model, and I always strive to find a location that will complement the subject and add to the overall aesthetic of the shot. When shooting on location, I prefer to rely on minimal assistance and natural lighting.
I find that this approach allows me to capture the beauty and essence of the location in a more authentic and organic way. Shooting outdoors I tend to keep my kit lite, just taking a Canon EOSR6 and a versatile R series lens.
This allows me to stay focused on the development of the image, without having to worry about production choices and how they will affect the overall image.I prefer to work with a small team, as it allows me to focus on the creative process and fully immerse myself at the moment. I believe that this approach leads to a more authentic and personal connection with the subject and ultimately results in a better shot.- CAI LEPLAW
THE RETURN OF STREETROACH!
We are excited to announce our collaboration with JPN NATIONAL to bring you a wheel that pays homage to the iconic street skating culture of the 90s. Don't miss out on the exclusive apparel capsule drop available at jpnnational.com.
Renowned artist and skateboarder, Marty Baptist, shared his thoughts on the collaboration's graphics and wheel specifications:"It's a true honor and a nostalgic nod, not only to the wheel brand but also to Australian skateboarding.
The late 1980s and 1990s were my formative years in skateboarding, and Cockroach always had the best urethane. When funds were tight, we'd take our old Cockroach wheels and shape them down to around 50-48 mm in size at a friend's house, giving us a brand new set of wheels.
"Now, in 2023, the result of our collab is an exclusive limited-edition graphic and premium street wheel, measuring 52mm/101a, known as "THE STREET ROACH."
Its compound and size are perfectly suited for today's skating demands, and this collaboration has a deep-rooted connection that spans decades.
Marty Baptist still enjoys skating," the motion of movement helps me free up my mind, I spend most of my time painting but I couldn't live without skateboarding." His artwork is featured in numerous private and institutional collections worldwide. Over the years he has partnered with a diverse range of creative entities and labels, including Paramount House (Sydney), Cliché (France), Krooked Skateboards (USA), and many others.
Fergus Purcell
Fergus Purcell has teamed up with JPN NATIONAL to create another iconic logo.
Purcell is known for his low-key style and ability to pull from unexpected, offbeat reference points.Fergus is the creator of the iconic Penrose triangle ” Palace skateboards”logo. He has worked with other designers including Marc Jacobs, Katie Hillier ,Luella Bartley and Ashley Williams."He actually did four logos for us and for payment we swapped some artwork -mb".
Lee Ralph
Lee Ralph is a contemporary Maori artist from the Te Rarawa tribe of New Zealand’s far north.
Carving has been the major focus of his work and Lee works in a number of mediums, creating sculptures made from hardwoods, bone, coral, pumice, wax, Plaster of Paris, Punga, MDF, guitars, skateboards and anything else that comes to hand. Lee has been developing an interest in painting using mainly recycled materials to produce works expressing his social and political views and spreading the Tiki love. In the 1980's Lee rose to prominence as a pro skater in California with a wildly unique style, character and presence respected to this day as bona fide skate royalty. Lee has exhibited in New Zealand, Australia and Japan. -AMAC
Rhys Lee
Rhys Lee is an Australian visual artist who lives in Aireys Inlet, Victoria Australia.
Coming from a background of Street Art, Rhys works in a range of media centring on painting with acrylics and oils. Rhys is represented by in a range of art collections.
Painting has always been an intuitive process for Rhys Lee. Through a vibrant palette, his playful mark making draws from personal memories in a moment of cathartic release.
Marty Baptist
Marty Baptist has exhibited throughout Australia and Internationally since 2003. He has collaborated with a diverse array of creative partners and labels including Paramount House (Sydney), Cliché (France), Krooked Skateboards (USA), and Warner Brothers amongst many.
Baptist’s work combines a personal form of existentialism with raw expressionist symbolism.
Baptist explores the problems of human existence and centres on the experience of thinking, feeling, and acting through his paintings. A lifetime lived and experienced deep within skateboard and street culture have led to the development of an authentic and unique outsider visual aesthetic.
Baptist’s paintings are a mix of astute observations and out loud thoughts. His work has a dark sense of humour that he matches off against the everyday. His imagery ranges from oblique pop culture references to loose figurative observations. Baptist’s use of text adds a cryptic overture, ranging from gentle jest to subversive honesty.
Bus-stop graffiti and sgraffito meets ambiguous, elliptic text and symbolic imagery from the ancient and contemporary worlds. His sources are found in the underworld, chance encounters, late nights on the street, early mornings on the beach, overheard conversations, bar room chatter, confused situations and texts, online & on the phone.
Baptist's work is held in numerous private and institutional collections around the world.
JPN National is the brainchild of Australian Artist, Skateboarder and designer, Marty Baptist. The brand is reflective of the inspiration Marty draws from each of the three trades, with the end result being wearable, everyday collections with flare and Marty's own eccentric signature. We caught up with Marty to dig a little deeper into the JPN National story.
EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW WITH THE HAVN STORE,MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA - 27/9/18
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on the Japan National story ...
It started as an extension of my art practice, I was doing a lot of paintings and turning them into small print runs on shirts and stuff; making zines, etc. At the time I was collaborating with some big companies and figured it was time to tie it all into one thing. A lot of stuff out there seemed so stale, but the last thing I thought the world needed was another apparel brand; especially another brand involved in skateboarding (but that's me, I'm a painter and I've been skating since I was 11). I wanted Japan National to have a strong art feel and include guest artists who I admire. It's great to have people I respect involved, whether it's a guest artist or someone wearing the brand, it's a huge honour and nod to what we're doing.
on major influences and inspirations ...
Art, fashion, skateboarding and music. Inspiration can come from just about anywhere; album covers, Brit Pop and some 90’s culture such as The Face magazine. Early Supreme stuff was cool, I have some good friends that helped start that brand up and make it into the phenomenon that it is today. As far as design elements go that's always changing but I love the classics. At the moment I'm really digging the stuff Aquascutum are doing again.
on staying true ...
It helps to remember the reasons why you're doing it. Japan National was always going to be a brand that was going to stay light on it's feet and have a fresh take on the world and people around me. The moment you take it too seriously, it feels like you're starting to veer off course. Within months of Japan National starting, we were approached by a major chain for an order form but chose to decline. It's crazy but a lot of these 'small brands' out there are actually owned by giants. I think being hands on and having the art element will always keep us from conforming. Most things out there seem rehashed, I'm interested in re-invention, then the old becomes new again, same but different.
on the current collection ...
I like the idea of constant change, so you can't be pinned down to one set style, sort of like treating a shirt or an anorak like a blank canvas. Being a smaller brand gives me the freedom to respond to what excites me and not just what is expected. Instead of getting stuck in fleshed out ranges I can transcend that, that would be our ethos, I guess. Our guest artists are inspiring, some are pro skateboarders, photographers - others fine artist's, it's all the same to me.