Gnarly dude! Amazing photos documenting the underground skateboarding scene of the 1970s... when riders with no shoes and no shirts risked their skin on the streets and in empty swimming pools

  • Hugh Holland stumbled across the Californian skateboarding scene as it was blossoming in the 1970's 
  • He spent five years capturing the blond haired uniform bleached blonde haired skaters carving the streets
  • The skaters took Holland in because he had a camera-which was a novelty at that time-to capture their tricks
  • Hollards’s iconic images were closely referenced for the popular film Lords of Dogtown, starring Heath Ledge 
  • The iconic pictures-along with some previously unseen snaps-are being exhibited for the first time in Australia 

By Nelson Groom for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:50 EST, 29 May 2015 | Updated: 07:09 EST, 30 May 2015

A photographer who is world-renowned for documenting the rise of the Californian skateboarding scene in the 1970s is exhibiting his iconic work in Australia for the first time.

For five years, Californian based Hugh Holland captured thousands of images of the uniform bleached blonde haired skaters grinding the streets, without realising he was recording the dawn of an era.

Now, the iconic archive of pictures-along with a selection of previously unseen snaps-are coming to Australia for the first time in the Locals Only exhibition, which offers a window into a time that would prove pivotal to pop culture for decades.

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An image of a young skater grinding the street in the 1970s, which is included in a historic exhibition coming to Australia for the first time

An image of a young skater grinding the street in the 1970s, which is included in a historic exhibition coming to Australia for the first time

Hugh Holland is world-renowned for documenting the rise of the Californian skateboarding scene in the 1970s

Hugh Holland is world-renowned for documenting the rise of the Californian skateboarding scene in the 1970s

Hollard was mesmorised by 'the dynamic grace and explosive athleticism of these young skateboarders,' resolving to document the blossoming scene

Hollard was mesmorised by 'the dynamic grace and explosive athleticism of these young skateboarders,' resolving to document the blossoming scene

The story behind the images is firmly rooted in fate. In 1975, a drought struck southern California which was so drastic that virtually all suburban swimming pools were evaporated.

These dried-out pools became the launch pad for the blossoming skateboard scene, with crowds of restless kids using them as a means of escaping the long and hot days.

‘One day I was  driving down Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Los Angeles when I stumbled upon these amazingly graceful and athletic young skateboarders.’

Hollard was mesmorised, quickly resolving to document the skaters in action. He said they welcomed him with open arms-but largely because of what he could offer them.

‘I had a car and camera, so I was instantly accepted. Not many people had cameras back then, and these kids were longing to get a record of their skills.’

Californian based Hugh Holland captured thousands of images of the uniform bleached blonde haired skaters grinding the streets, without realising he was recording the dawn of an era.

Californian based Hugh Holland captured thousands of images of the uniform bleached blonde haired skaters grinding the streets, without realising he was recording the dawn of an era.

In 1975, a severe drought in California meant virtually all suburban swimming pools were evaporated-these dried out pools became the launching pad for the skateboarding scene

In 1975, a severe drought in California meant virtually all suburban swimming pools were evaporated-these dried out pools became the launching pad for the skateboarding scene

Hollards’s iconic images were closely referenced for the film Lords of Dogtown-starring Heath Ledger-to recreate the authentic California Skate scene look that has become so coveted today

Hollards’s iconic images were closely referenced for the film Lords of Dogtown-starring Heath Ledger-to recreate the authentic California Skate scene look that has become so coveted today

Holland’s unequaled access to this self-contained, near-cultish subculture, resulted in images that embody an excitement about the time that is impossible to replicate in a studio

Holland’s unequaled access to this self-contained, near-cultish subculture, resulted in images that embody an excitement about the time that is impossible to replicate in a studio

 

 

'There was certain energy and beauty that I found very alluring,' Hollard sai: ‘It was like watching ballet on concrete’

'There was certain energy and beauty that I found very alluring,' Hollard sai: ‘It was like watching ballet on concrete’

Holland’s unequaled access to this self-contained, near-cultish subculture, resulted in images that embody an excitement about the time that is impossible to replicate in a studio.

‘I was mesmorised by the dynamic grace and explosive athleticism of these young skateboarders. There was certain energy and beauty that I found very alluring,' he said.

‘It was like watching ballet on concrete.’ 

Hollard said the skating community welcomed him with open arms-but largely because he had a camera, which was a novelty at the time

Hollard said the skating community welcomed him with open arms-but largely because he had a camera, which was a novelty at the time

The Locals Only exhibition at Blender Gallery in east Sydney contains a string of brand new snapshots which will be making their worldwide debut

The Locals Only exhibition at Blender Gallery in east Sydney contains a string of brand new snapshots which will be making their worldwide debut

Hollards’s iconic images were closely referenced for the film Lords of Dogtown-starring Heath Ledger-to recreate the authentic California Skate scene look that has become so coveted today.

The exhibition at Blender Gallery in east Sydney contains a string of brand new snapshots which will be making their worldwide debut.

Locals Only exhibition will be held from Jun 5, 2015 until Aug 1, 2015 at the Blender Gallery in Paddington

 

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