“OAKLEY IN RESIDENCE: SYDNEY” IS A HUB FOR SYDNEY SKATE CULTURE
Monday, October 12, 2015 — Beginning November 5th through November 29th, Oakley opens “Oakley In Residence: Sydney,” a creative space and pop-up skate park destination that celebrates the culture of skateboarding as part of the brand’s global ONE OBSESSION campaign designed to fuel passion rooted in sport.
Hosted in one of the world’s most progressive skate communities, the part hangout space and part skateboarding hub, Oakley In Residence: Sydney is free and open to the public. Located at 74 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales, the venue is open every week from Tuesday to Sunday, and offers a weekly schedule of workshops, exclusive exhibitions, interactive panel discussions, art installations, athlete meet ups, skate sessions, film screenings and more.
Oakley skateboard icons Eric Koston, Sean Malto and Curren Caples, along with globally renowned photographer Atiba Jefferson, will bring to life the essence of skate culture by serving as the lead curators of the programming – with support from local Sydney athletes, photographers, filmmakers, and influencers across the skate, creative and street communities.
Beginning November 5th, Atiba Jefferson will partner with photographers, Mike O’Meally and Andrew Peters, to curate the first exclusive art exhibition, “Destination Sydney.” Inspired by O’Meally and Peters’ hometown, the photography exhibition will chronicle iconic skate moments from the last 20 years.
The pop-up skate park at Oakley In Residence: Sydney will feature a series of “skateable” sculptures designed by local Sydney artist Brett Chan. Oakley also commissioned world-renowned artist Anthony Lister to develop a mural that will be featured on the outside of the space. Together Chan and Lister's art will exemplify the originality and passion of the Sydney skate community.
On November 5th, when the “Destination: Sydney” photography exhibition opens at Oakley In Residence: Sydney, three photographs from the collection will be unveiled at The Berrics in Los Angeles. The exhibit shares and celebrates Sydney’s rich skateboarding history through the lens of Jefferson, O’Meally and Peters. Two of the most renowned skate communities will be connected through art as part of the ongoing Oakley and The Berrics ‘Not to Scale’ partnership, which features some of skateboarding’s most notable artists through a series of murals. Earlier this year, The Berrics mural featured art by the Art Dump's Andy Jenkins, who was spotlighted at Oakley In Residence: Los Angeles.
Oakley partnered with local non-profit organizations, the Noffs Foundation and Street University, to offer art workshops, screening events and creative collaborations at Oakley In Residence: Sydney. The foundations provide community based services and interactive spaces to help underserved youth realize their dreams, harness their potential and create positive outcomes for their lives and communities.
Oakley In Residence: Sydney is the third installment of the Oakley In Residence ONE OBSESSION brand hub experiences – inviting people around the world to join the #LiveYours movement, share their passion and inspire others. Earlier this year, Oakley hosted a skate-inspired community space in Los Angeles and an urban cycling creative workshop in London.
“Skateboarding is more than just a sport. It is a lifestyle that is built on a foundation of creativity and freedom,” said Tom Cartmale, Global Director Brand Communications. “Oakley In Residence: Sydney honors the unique makeup of skate culture – from art and design to style and music – giving the local community a place to gather and celebrate their shared passions, while bringing to life the essence of the Oakley ONE OBSESSION campaign.”
For more information, hours of the skate park and a schedule of upcoming activities, visit
http://www.oakley.com/en/in-residence/sydney.
Oakley In Residence: Sydney is a creative hangout space and pop-up skate spot where you can live out your skateboarding obsession through creativity. Curated by Eric Koston, Atiba Jefferson, Sean Malto, Curren Caples, the programming offers a weekly schedule of exhibitions, workshops, athlete meet ups, skate sessions, film screenings and more. With support from local Sydney athletes, artists, designers and photographers, the space is inspired by a shared love for Sydney as a skate destination and the creativity that it breeds.