Totem Decks

LIMITED RUN of Custom Artworks!

2011-08-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

You heard right! For a long time now we have been turning down requests to engrave decks with anything but our on artworks on them, but the demand has been ridiculous, and we've caved in. But only for a short while!
We are giving interested artists the opportunity to have their own artworks cut into one or more of our no-nonsense Canadian maple decks! Here's the deal:

Simply head to our online store and click on CUSTOM Design in the featured categories, then select CUSTOM Art Deck to place the order.

After ordering, submit your artwork to us immediately via email (totemdecksonline@gmail.com) so we can get started on making it!

* Please ensure that your artwork fits completely within a 550mm (21.5") x 190mm (7.5") box.
* You art must be BLACK and WHITE only. The BLACK areas of it will be etched.
* We accept .jpg, .psd, .eps, or .png file formats @300dpi resolution. Preferably no larger than 10Mb in size.
* The kicks of the deck will not be etched; only the rectangular area between them.

So if you have a logo, tag or any other kind of illustration you want to see lovingly carved into timber, then this is the time to do it, as the chance will not last long or come around again in a while. We are stubborn in our ways!

Have fun creating something awesome! We look forward to seeing it!

Totem Decks is High Culture!

2008-11-02T00:55:00.001-07:00

It is with great honour and pride that we blow our own horn and announce that the BRITISH MUSEUM has officially purchased a set of Totem Decks for its collection!

This is stunning news. Even we are shocked - and we do not shock easily! As anybody familiar with art knows, it is no mean feat to get work exhibited publically. But to get if bought from you by one of the biggest and most important museums in the world is completely mind boggling!

The decks in question are Alick Tipoti's "Waru Thurul". Once again, a massive thank you to Alick for contributing this beautiful design and letting us carve him a new one.

The issue of blending traditional indigenous culture with youth energy on skate decks is finally getting the recognition it deserves! See - we weren't just living a delusion!

The Yawner is finally in the house!

2008-09-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

We've heard you!

Rochelle Padua's "The Yawner" - the hit from 2007's Youngblood Markets as well as our recent Wellington expo - is at last available from our online store selection. You can finally stop sending us death threats and get one! Doesn't that just rock your world!?

Underground Arts vs Totem Decks - it's ON!

2008-09-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

The first editions of tattoo themed designs by Steve Maddock from Wellington's Underground Arts are now available from our online store! Dive in and check out the full range!

After many requests, Steve has created a wonderful and culturally important set of designs as he would for his traditional tattoos.

This range is strictly limited to only 10 boards per edition, so get one fast! It's the next best thing to getting jabbed with an inky needle!

Steve's National Tattoo Museum is a well known hub for tattoo history and knowledge renowned well beyond the shores of New Zealand. We are stoked to have him contribute these awesomely detailed artworks onto our decks. In return, we have carved him a new one!

Red World Stories limited edition range available now!

2008-09-28T09:49:00.001-07:00

Head off to our online store and snap up one of the very limited and wonderfully detailed designs by artists Lewis Morley and Marilyn Pride from Red World Stories. Only 10 available!

Totem Decks carves Wellington a new one!

2008-09-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

It was with a heavy heart that we left Wellington, as the first official Totem Decks exhibition - held by our friend Steve Maddock of Underground Arts at his National Tattoo Museum - started with a bang, and shows no signs of slowing down!

Running until October 7th, word of the expo is spreading and more and more Wellingtonians (is that even a word!?) are discovering just why Totem Decks rock as hard as they do.

We would like to send a massive thank you to everybody who has already shown up and give an extra hug to anyone who has bought their own piece of Totem action! A massive kudos to the wonderful artists who contributed their works.

To those that don't know, most of the pieces - some very limited - are available from the exhibition space. So get down there!

The White Room mural wall featuring the Dennis Nona, Alick Tipoti and Megan Cope indigenous pieces:

The Brandstudio Press range, with designs by Andrew Wilson, Alberto Ruiz and Frank Cho, plus many other amazing illustrators:

Broadmore The Barbarian! Artist Greg Broadmore with his wicked Ray Guns deck:

An incredible set of designs by legendary artist Ron Cobb. Specially manufactured with black paint fill:

Australian artists Lewis Morley and Marilyn Pride from Red World Stories contributed these:

A very special "Wellington Apocalypse" artwork created by Totem Decks guest artist Christian Pearce. This one went down a treat with the natives:

The Miramar Gangsta Originale; the North Island Pimp Daddy; The 101 Proof Hiphopopotamus; the one and only Mr. Christian Pearce lays down the law, shoots straight and speaks the truth beside the display of his designs:

National Tattoo Museum and Underground Arts master Steve Maddock with his big friend:

Some Totem Decks original designs out on parade:

Even more original Totem Decks. All the cool kids in New Zealand are talking about 'em:

The almighty Totem in the White Room:

Some of the Underground Arts tattoo themed designs by Steve Maddock:

The Great Wall of Weta:

Become a Totem Decks fan on Facebook and check out the full gallery of photos on our page!

Totem Decks Expo in Wellington!

2008-09-14T23:33:00.000-07:00

The entire Totem Decks collection is finally getting the debut exhibition that we've been threatening to hold for a long time now - in Wellington, New Zealand! Here's the scoop:

September 23rd - October 7th

Underground Arts
29 Wigan St
Wellington
New Zealand

Join us for the huge opening night @ 7pm on September 23rd. It'll be a hoot, with plenty of wine, timber and song! Plus with free giveaways, a few lucky sods will be leaving with their very own decks for simply making the effort to show up! Don't get much better than that!

Not in New Zealand, but got some kiwi mates and family? Get those flightless birds out there! The expo will feature not only the original Totem Decks range, but also stunning designs from artists such as Ron Cobb, Alberto Ruiz, Frank Cho, Greg Broadmore, Dennis Nona, Alick Tipoti and many, many more!
Also, be witness to the launch of the incredible new range of tattoo themed designs from Steve Maddock and the guys from Underground Arts! There will be something for everyone. Stop vegetating and check into it!

Totem Decks vs Underground Arts...

2008-09-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

Totem Decks has joined forces with Underground Arts & The National Tattoo Museum in Wellington, New Zealand to create some stunning original works.
Conceived and designed with roots in tribal culture, the new range of designs will be unveiled at the upcoming Totem Decks exhibition shortly. A limited range of the decks will be available from our store soon. Here's a sneaky peek at things to come!

Alick Tipoti carves up London...

2008-08-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Alick Tipoti will be exhibiting his range of artworks in the UK - amongst them his collection of skateboard decks!
The works will be on display at:

Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery
2a Conway Street, Fitzroy Square,
London W1T 6BA

19 September – 11 October 2008

This is the first display of Totem Decks skate art outside of Australia, and as you can imagine, everybody at base camp is giggidy with excitement!

Got friends in London? Get those poms and ex-pats out of the pub and into some high art culture!

Alick Tipoti decks can be purchased from Aboriginal Art Prints here.

Dennis Nona wins a Silver Jubilee Telstra Art Award!

2008-08-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Dennis Nona from Badu Island, Torres Strait has won a Silver Jubilee Telstra Art Award for his etching on paper, Dugam.
Winner of last year’s $40,000 Telstra Award for his 3.5m bronze crocodile Ubirikubiri, Dennis is widely acknowledged as an important Torres Strait Islander artist. His entry in this year’s award is named after the star that is visible in the early morning sky for about two weeks during August and September. Its presence tells the Torres Strait Islanders that it is the time to harvest the wild yams, kutai, gabau and saurr.

The 25thTelstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award will be on display at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin from 15 August until 26 October 2008.

Dennis is one of the two indigenous artists that Totem Decks is proud to feature and we send him a big, fat congratulations!

Dennis Nona decks can be purchased exclusively from Aboriginial Art Prints here.

Totem Decks original designs unleashed!

2008-08-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of the ever expanding original range of designs created by us! You need this in your life. It will make you better, stronger, fitter and more confident! Head over to the online store and have a look at the full range. Yeah, baby!

Christian Pearce has landed

2008-08-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Christian Pearce spends his days chained in a cage deep within the bowels of Weta Workshop, illustrating for food scraps. By moonlight however, he grows fangs, hair in funny places and runs naked through the woods creating these wonderful and exclusive designs.

Check into the Totem Decks store for the order availability of these decks. You can see the full gallery of Christian's designs on our Facebook Fan Page!

Want to give Christian a piece of your mind, or possibly fill his head with bad ideas? He can be found hiding under here.

Indigenous Geniuses

2008-07-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Totem Decks has carved new ones for Alick Tipoti and Dennis Nona, two of Australia's leading indigenous artists.

We're excited to make decks featuring Alick's & Dennis' highly detailed work. Get ready to be blown away:

Love this teaser? Then head to our fan page on Facebook and experience the rest of this awesome collection.

The decks are a limited release which you can buy exclusively from Aboriginal Art Prints.

Totem Decks exhibition debut...

2008-07-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

We heart giving high art a bit of street cred so check out these decks designed by Alick Tipoti which are currently owning a wall at the artist's exhibition:

United Galleries
179-181 Palmer St
Darlinghurst

http://unitedgalleries.com.au/

The exhibit will be running throughout August, so rock up and have a look!

Alick shares the love and is up for designing more decks with us.

Totem Decks is finally online!

2008-07-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

This is the official Totem Decks information site. There are many like it but this one is ours...

And so it begins, friends. We have finally crawled our way out of the primeval luddite sludge pool and into the world wide web. Welcome to our blog, which also doubles as the official Totem Decks website!

The information here will be regularly updated with news and events, so make sure you visit often. And tell your friends.

From here you will also be able to link to our online store so you can finally purchase your very own loving Totem Deck.

Got a Facebook profile? Look up the official Totem Decks page and become a fan! Possible free stuff forseen somewhere in the future for you if you do!

So don't be a pleb - spread the word about the Totem!

To be continued...