80s Skate Photography:  J Grant Brittain
September 1 – October 25, 2023

ATHICA @ Ciné Gallery
234 W Hancock Ave.
Athens, GA 30601
For hours, see:  www.athenscine.com

Opening Reception, Ace / Francisco Gallery: Thursday, September 28, 2023, 6-9pm
Artist Talk and Book Signing, Ciné Lab: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 6:00 pm

ATHICA@Ciné presents an exhibition of photographs by J. Grant Brittain, “80s Skate Photography,” curated by Jason Thrasher and in conjunction with a co-exhibition at the Ace / Francisco Gallery. Drawn from Brittain’s vast catalog of skate photography, the exhibition highlights images found in his monograph “Push.” Brittain will be in town for the opening of the co-exhibition at Ace / Francisco Gallery and take part in an artist talk and book signing two nights later at the Ciné Lab, co-sponsored by Avid Bookshop, Ciné Arthouse Cinema, the Willson Center, ATHICA, and Ace / Francisco Gallery. Additional sponsors for Brittain’s visit include Opus Shoes and Big City Bread Cafe.

According to Push publisher Gingko Press:

The dynamic images from the analog era found in PUSH demonstrate why Grant Brittain has become one of the most widely-recognized skateboard photographers on the planet. Brittain has been at the epicenter of California skateboarding since landing a job at Del Mar Skate Ranch in 1978. Brittain started shooting Kodachrome at Del Mar in 1979, and within a few years he was submitting photographs to TransWorld Skateboarding magazine, going on to become Photo Editor there shortly thereafter. In 1987, “The Push,” a photo of Tod Swank made the cover of TransWorld, becoming one of the most recognizable photos in all of skateboarding. J Grant Brittain has mentored dozens of budding photographers while achieving the status of icon to skateboarders around the world. It’s high time the world gets a chance to see this collection of his work from the 1980s that has inspired so many. PUSH includes a foreword by Tony Hawk, an introduction by Miki Vuckovich and a fold-out timeline by Garry Scott Davis.

“I have been shooting skateboarding from 1979 to the present and see no end in sight.” – J. Grant Brittain

This is Brittain’s first solo exhibition for ATHICA. He was selected by the ATHICA Exhibitions Committee to be featured in the Solo Duo Trio series, which provides opportunities for individual artists to exhibit their work at ATHICA and its partner location, ATHICA@Ciné.

About the Artist

J Grant Brittain is a renowned skateboard photographer whose journey began in 1979 at the Del Mar Skate Ranch, where he worked as a dedicated employee and later as the pro shop manager. Borrowing his roommate’s camera that same year, Brittain discovered his passion for photography while capturing his friends flying out of the cement bowls. In 1983, he co-founded Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, where he served as Senior Photographer and Photo Editor for over 20 years. Brittain’s iconic images graced the magazine’s covers over 60 times, solidifying his status as a visionary in skateboarding photography. His captivating skate photos have been featured in magazines, books, and photo shows worldwide. In 2003, Brittain left Transworld Skateboarding to establish The Skateboard Mag, where he continued to make an impact until 2016. Today, he focuses on his own artistic, commercial, and personal projects, including teaching, global photo shows, releasing new photos from his archive, and publishing his new book Push. His work captures the essence of skateboarding and continues to inspire skateboarders and photographers alike. J Grant Brittain’s enduring legacy is a testament to his unmatched talent and dedication to his craft. His work includes iconic photos of Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Mark Gonzalas, Natas Kaupus, Chris Miller, and Rodney Mullen, among many others.

80s Skate Photography: J Grant Brittain is sponsored in part by The James E. and Betty J. Huffer Foundation, The Georgia Council for the Arts, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Press Release: https://mailchi.mp/athica/brittain

Press:  https://flagpole.com/topstory/2023/09/20/j-grant-brittain-exhibits-1980s-skateboarding-photography/