Jaume Llorens Bach - Deep Inside III
HUGH HOLLAND
(1942-2025)
It is with much sadness that we share the news of the passing of the legendary skate photographer Hugh Holland, who died peacefully on Sunday night at the age of 82.
Hugh’s documenting of the early skateboard scene in California in the mid-1970s has developed cult status over the proceeding years. A chance encounter with a group of skateboarding kids whilst driving up Laurel Canyon Boulevard in LA captivated Hugh and he spent the next five years capturing the burgeoning counterculture phenomenon.
From capturing the everyday social interactions of groups of skateboarding kids from Kenter Canyon and Brentwood, to the notorious Z-boys and now legendary names of the sport, such as Jay Adams and Stacy Peralta, Holland’s fervent enthusiasm for the energy of the scene quickly certified Holland’s acceptance within the community.
The series of images compiled in his book ‘Locals Only’ is testament to his skill as a photographic artist. Shot with a special colour film and often taken during late afternoon, the images are bathed by the soft illumination of the low-lying sun, transforming the snapshot images into carefully composed film stills. His images have stood the test of time, and define an era and generation of skateboarding pioneers.
“I was lucky enough to meet and spend a couple of days with Hugh when he visited the UK for the opening of his exhibition at the Brighton gallery back in 2007. He had never heard of Brighton before arriving from the US, but quickly felt very at home and was thrilled with the reaction to his work here. He was incredibly warm and funny and generous with his time with me and other fans of his work.”