Everybody Skate is a documentary photo project highlighting women and gender non-conforming skateboarders in New York City. Captured on film, Brooklyn-based photographer Lanna Apisukh began photographing the project in 2018 — sharing stories of courage, camaraderie and athleticism through photographic documentation and intimate portraits of the diverse individuals that make up this small but growing community.
As a young female skater growing up in the ’90s, she often found herself being the only girl at the skatepark. It was intimidating to be a young woman and a minority in an aggressive male-dominated space, especially as a beginner. Fortunately, the landscape is evolving and attitudes are changing across the industry. Women’s skateboarding is now recognized as an Olympic sport and there are a growing number of organizations who have created safe spaces for women, trans and non-binary people to learn new skills, get support, and build confidence through skateboarding.
It’s an exciting time in our skateboarding history. Apisukh’s aim is to showcase the diversity and the trailblazing individuals that make up this positive new space through an honest and artistic lens.
You can find Everybody Skate and Lanna Apisukh on Instagram.
Artist Bios
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Lanna Apisukh
Lanna Apisukh is a portrait and documentary photographer based in New York City. With a background in skateboarding and an extensive athletic career as a former elite gymnast, she is drawn to photographing dynamic individuals, communities and subcultures. Her work explores people and their relationship to place, culture and identity through bold and colorful storytelling.
Lanna is a Bachelor of Arts graduate of the University of Washington and has expanded on her photography education at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her subjects span from TV personalities, skateboarders and celebrity chefs to artists, everyday New Yorkers and their surroundings.
As a Thai-American and the daughter of immigrant parents and former restaurant owners and cooks, Lanna had also developed a deep appreciation for food at a young age and its connection to family and culture which can be seen in her profiles with restaurants.
Lanna is a member of Diversify Photo and became a FUJIFILM ambassador in 2020. She is a frequent contributor at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine and The New Yorker. In addition to her photography work, she has provided mentorships and creative education to her Brooklyn community through Contact Photo, Seeing Collective and The Bridge program.
Organizations
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Photoville
Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.
In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.
By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.
For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
Everybody Skate
Featuring: Lanna Apisukh
Curated by: Lanna Apisukh
Locations
View Location Details LES Coleman Skate Park62 Monroe Street and Pike Street
New York, NY 10002
Location open 24 hours
