A BREIF HISTORY OF SHAWN BEEKS
I started drawing in elementary school, favoring realism and skateboard graphics at the age of 12. I majored in Drawing and Painting at the University of Georgia, graduating in 1999, and continuing my education at the University of the Arts in 2006, earning a Masters in Painting. Since 1996 I've worked as an illustrator for various skateboard companies and skateshops using skateboards as an affordable vehicle for my art. My work is a visual representation of all the things I shouldn't say at work.
Due to the light paint application and detail of my work, my drawings and paintings are best viewed in person; however, illustrations can easily be seen on instagram.
Feel free to contact me if you see anything you would like on your walls.
SHAWN BEEKS
Philadelphia, PA
404-219-2362
[email protected]
@slapstikskateboardart on Instagram
Education
MFA 2008 Painting, University of the Arts
BFA 1999 Drawing and Painting, University of Georgia
Education Awards
University of the Arts Summer MFA scholarship 2006-2008
Professional Experience
2016 - present Adjunct Professor, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Volunteer Comics Writing Instructor, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Visual Story Telling Instructor, 3rd Ward, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Visiting Artist Lecture Cyberpunk Apocalypse, Pittsburgh, PA
2010 – present Art Director, Pusher Wheels, Philadelphia, PA
2010 – present Creative Employment Specialist, Outside the Frame, Philadelphia, PA
2001 – present Director Slapstik Skateboards, Slapstik Skateboard Art
2009 University of the Arts Drawing Marathon: The Best/Worse Moment of Your Life/Afterlife
Visiting Artist Lecture Tyler School of Art, Computers in Art: From Google to Paper
Solo Exhibits
2019 Frameworks, Domestic Terror, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Chhyaya Cafe, Good Hair Day, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Philadelphia Independents, Cat Fight, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Pink Slime Gallery, Is Black History?, Philadelphia, PA
2016 Forage Space Gallery, Live Love Laugh, Scranton, PA
2015 Nice Things Handmade, Cat News, Philadelphia, PA
2015 Trundle Manor, Hybrid Moments, Pittsburgh, PA
2015 Haverford School, Arthur Asks/ Jesus Answers, Haverford, PA
2012 Gleaner’s Café, Game Over, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Exit Skateshop, Release the Pink Skateboard Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Slingluff Gallery, Dick: A Story of Whaling and the United States, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Apple Jacks Studio, The Blunder Years: Slapstik Skateboards Retro., Philadelphia, PA
2010 The Sweatshop, Flirt, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Day One Skateshop and Art Space, Too Bad To Be True, Bridgeport, CT
2009 Square Peg Artery and Salvage, Cut It, & See If It Bleeds, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Square Peg Artery and Salvage, Bare Bulb Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2009 RKO Video & South Philly Comics, Gods & Monsters, Philadelphia, PA
2005 Ruin Skateshop, Heartbreak, Atlanta, GA
2002 Youngblood, These Four Walls, Atlanta, GA
Group Exhibits
2017 Pilot Projects Gallery, Breaking Ground, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Hot Yoga Philadelphia, We Stand With Standing Rock, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Illuminations, 40th St. AIR, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Dick Blick, CHERPOPUPS, Philadelphia, PA
2013 AIR Space, Plastique Cirque, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Salon 1522, CHERPOPUPS, (No) Hope, Philadelphia, PA
2013 The Asian Arts Initiative, Interconnection, Philadelphia, PA
2012 PhilaMOCA, CHERPOPUPS, Laughing In The Face Of, Philadelphia, PA
2012 F&N Gallery, Oakley and Friendship, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Lorton Arts Foundation, Urban Decay, Lorton VA
2011 Young Blood, Sk8 or Die V, Atlanta, GA
2010 Young Blood, Day of the Dead, Atlanta, GA
2010 The Paper Mill in the Art Quarter, Day of the Dead Art Exhibit, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Square Peg Artery and Salvage, Puppies, Kittens, & Chicks, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Exit Skateshop, Deckheads, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Push Skateshop and Gallery, The Art Of Darkness, Asheville, NC
2009 Slingfluff Gallery, Group Bird House Show, Philadelphia, PA
2009 City Hall, In Your Dreams, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Little Berlin, Offerings, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Young Blood Gallery and Boutique, Sk8 or Die IV, Atlanta, GA
2009 Little Berlin, Bone Tails, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Columbia Museum of Art, Skate and Create, Columbia, SC
2009 The Gallery at 543, Show of Recent Graduates, Philadelphia, PA
2008 University of the Arts Thesis Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
2008 Vista Studios Gallery 80808, Skate and Create, Columbia, SC
2008 City Hall, The Green Exhibit, Philadelphia, PA
2008 3rd Rail Studio, Potshot at Hotshots, New Rochelle, NY
2007 Vista Studios Gallery 80808, Skate and Create, Columbia, SC
2007 University of the Arts President’s Office, Philadelphia, PA
2007 Young Blood, Sk8 or Die III, Atlanta, GA
2005 Young Blood, Sk8 or Die II, Atlanta, GA
2004 Youngblood, Sk8 R Die, Atlanta, GA
2003 City Hall East, Art Papers Auction, Atlanta, GA
Bibliography
-Interviewed for Slapstik Skateboards in Stance Magazine January 2002
-Referenced in write up on Fresh show in Art Papers vol. 26.5 Oct./Nov. 2002
-Interview in Heckler magazine #55 and angry viewer letter in #58
-“Potshots at Hotshots” review in Taconic Weekend, local paper for New Rochelle, NewYork, 2008
- Sk8 or Die II art review pictured in Access Atlanta Oct. 13, 2005
-Illustrations in The Faith-Based Initiative and The Religious Right: Shredding the First Amendment, by Dr. James Beeks Sr., published July 23, 2009
-Artwork used as background props for 2011 film Café, directed by Marc Erlbaum
-Exhibit review for Dick: A Story of Whaling and the United States http://thepineconegentleman.com/2011/10/11/a-few-from-shawn-beeks-opening/--- -- ---Exhibit review for Dick: A Story of Whaling and the United States http://www.title-magazine.com/2011/10/shawn-beeks/
-100% Proven Ways to Enlarge Your Penis, April 2013
-Shadow, March 2017
Exhibits Curated
2012 Arts on South, Super Shiny, Outside the Frame Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Dick Blick, By Association, Outside the Frame Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Fringe Salon, Two Artists Walk Into A Bar, OTF Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2014 OCF Coffee, Feral Bout, OTF Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Swarthmore Friends of the Arts, Lonesome Heroes, Swarthmore, PA
2015 The Arts Exchange, Clarence Emmons Fine Ass Art Show Deck Release, Atlanta, GA
2015 University of the Arts, Upon the Shore of Infinite Static: Tyler Kline Skateboard Release, Philadelphia, PA
2015 Bluetile Skateshop, Taste the Rainbow: Andrew Thomas/ David Clark Skateboard Release Art Show, Columbia, SC
2016 Hey Cafe, Mr. Tot's Markings Skateboard Release Art Show, New Orleans, LA
2016 Nice Things Handmade, Culinary Cuts, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Casual Encounter Skateboard Release, Polish Hill Skatepark, Pittsburgh, PA
2018 Only You Tattoo Charles Chatov Deck Release, Atlanta, GA
2018 The Cellar Nathan Brown Deck Release, Philadelphia, PA
2019 Nocturnal Skateshop, The Bomb Final Deck Release, Philadelphia, PA
Freelance
2001 Moving in Medium DVD Producer/Music Director
2007 Gravity Skatehop Illustrator for shop deck
2008 Bluetile Skateshop Illustrator for shop deck and apparel
2009 www.Atlantahatesus.com Graphic Designer for website layout
2010 Nocturnal Illustrator for shop deck
2011 Anchor Skateboards Illustrator for shop deck
2012 Reveal skateboards Illustrator for signature and team decks
Due to the light paint application and detail of my work, my drawings and paintings are best viewed in person; however, illustrations can easily be seen on instagram.
Feel free to contact me if you see anything you would like on your walls.
SHAWN BEEKS
Philadelphia, PA
404-219-2362
[email protected]
@slapstikskateboardart on Instagram
Education
MFA 2008 Painting, University of the Arts
BFA 1999 Drawing and Painting, University of Georgia
Education Awards
University of the Arts Summer MFA scholarship 2006-2008
Professional Experience
2016 - present Adjunct Professor, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Volunteer Comics Writing Instructor, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Visual Story Telling Instructor, 3rd Ward, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Visiting Artist Lecture Cyberpunk Apocalypse, Pittsburgh, PA
2010 – present Art Director, Pusher Wheels, Philadelphia, PA
2010 – present Creative Employment Specialist, Outside the Frame, Philadelphia, PA
2001 – present Director Slapstik Skateboards, Slapstik Skateboard Art
2009 University of the Arts Drawing Marathon: The Best/Worse Moment of Your Life/Afterlife
Visiting Artist Lecture Tyler School of Art, Computers in Art: From Google to Paper
Solo Exhibits
2019 Frameworks, Domestic Terror, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Chhyaya Cafe, Good Hair Day, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Philadelphia Independents, Cat Fight, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Pink Slime Gallery, Is Black History?, Philadelphia, PA
2016 Forage Space Gallery, Live Love Laugh, Scranton, PA
2015 Nice Things Handmade, Cat News, Philadelphia, PA
2015 Trundle Manor, Hybrid Moments, Pittsburgh, PA
2015 Haverford School, Arthur Asks/ Jesus Answers, Haverford, PA
2012 Gleaner’s Café, Game Over, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Exit Skateshop, Release the Pink Skateboard Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Slingluff Gallery, Dick: A Story of Whaling and the United States, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Apple Jacks Studio, The Blunder Years: Slapstik Skateboards Retro., Philadelphia, PA
2010 The Sweatshop, Flirt, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Day One Skateshop and Art Space, Too Bad To Be True, Bridgeport, CT
2009 Square Peg Artery and Salvage, Cut It, & See If It Bleeds, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Square Peg Artery and Salvage, Bare Bulb Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2009 RKO Video & South Philly Comics, Gods & Monsters, Philadelphia, PA
2005 Ruin Skateshop, Heartbreak, Atlanta, GA
2002 Youngblood, These Four Walls, Atlanta, GA
Group Exhibits
2017 Pilot Projects Gallery, Breaking Ground, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Hot Yoga Philadelphia, We Stand With Standing Rock, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Illuminations, 40th St. AIR, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Dick Blick, CHERPOPUPS, Philadelphia, PA
2013 AIR Space, Plastique Cirque, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Salon 1522, CHERPOPUPS, (No) Hope, Philadelphia, PA
2013 The Asian Arts Initiative, Interconnection, Philadelphia, PA
2012 PhilaMOCA, CHERPOPUPS, Laughing In The Face Of, Philadelphia, PA
2012 F&N Gallery, Oakley and Friendship, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Lorton Arts Foundation, Urban Decay, Lorton VA
2011 Young Blood, Sk8 or Die V, Atlanta, GA
2010 Young Blood, Day of the Dead, Atlanta, GA
2010 The Paper Mill in the Art Quarter, Day of the Dead Art Exhibit, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Square Peg Artery and Salvage, Puppies, Kittens, & Chicks, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Exit Skateshop, Deckheads, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Push Skateshop and Gallery, The Art Of Darkness, Asheville, NC
2009 Slingfluff Gallery, Group Bird House Show, Philadelphia, PA
2009 City Hall, In Your Dreams, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Little Berlin, Offerings, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Young Blood Gallery and Boutique, Sk8 or Die IV, Atlanta, GA
2009 Little Berlin, Bone Tails, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Columbia Museum of Art, Skate and Create, Columbia, SC
2009 The Gallery at 543, Show of Recent Graduates, Philadelphia, PA
2008 University of the Arts Thesis Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
2008 Vista Studios Gallery 80808, Skate and Create, Columbia, SC
2008 City Hall, The Green Exhibit, Philadelphia, PA
2008 3rd Rail Studio, Potshot at Hotshots, New Rochelle, NY
2007 Vista Studios Gallery 80808, Skate and Create, Columbia, SC
2007 University of the Arts President’s Office, Philadelphia, PA
2007 Young Blood, Sk8 or Die III, Atlanta, GA
2005 Young Blood, Sk8 or Die II, Atlanta, GA
2004 Youngblood, Sk8 R Die, Atlanta, GA
2003 City Hall East, Art Papers Auction, Atlanta, GA
Bibliography
-Interviewed for Slapstik Skateboards in Stance Magazine January 2002
-Referenced in write up on Fresh show in Art Papers vol. 26.5 Oct./Nov. 2002
-Interview in Heckler magazine #55 and angry viewer letter in #58
-“Potshots at Hotshots” review in Taconic Weekend, local paper for New Rochelle, NewYork, 2008
- Sk8 or Die II art review pictured in Access Atlanta Oct. 13, 2005
-Illustrations in The Faith-Based Initiative and The Religious Right: Shredding the First Amendment, by Dr. James Beeks Sr., published July 23, 2009
-Artwork used as background props for 2011 film Café, directed by Marc Erlbaum
-Exhibit review for Dick: A Story of Whaling and the United States http://thepineconegentleman.com/2011/10/11/a-few-from-shawn-beeks-opening/--- -- ---Exhibit review for Dick: A Story of Whaling and the United States http://www.title-magazine.com/2011/10/shawn-beeks/
-100% Proven Ways to Enlarge Your Penis, April 2013
-Shadow, March 2017
Exhibits Curated
2012 Arts on South, Super Shiny, Outside the Frame Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Dick Blick, By Association, Outside the Frame Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Fringe Salon, Two Artists Walk Into A Bar, OTF Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2014 OCF Coffee, Feral Bout, OTF Collective, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Swarthmore Friends of the Arts, Lonesome Heroes, Swarthmore, PA
2015 The Arts Exchange, Clarence Emmons Fine Ass Art Show Deck Release, Atlanta, GA
2015 University of the Arts, Upon the Shore of Infinite Static: Tyler Kline Skateboard Release, Philadelphia, PA
2015 Bluetile Skateshop, Taste the Rainbow: Andrew Thomas/ David Clark Skateboard Release Art Show, Columbia, SC
2016 Hey Cafe, Mr. Tot's Markings Skateboard Release Art Show, New Orleans, LA
2016 Nice Things Handmade, Culinary Cuts, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Casual Encounter Skateboard Release, Polish Hill Skatepark, Pittsburgh, PA
2018 Only You Tattoo Charles Chatov Deck Release, Atlanta, GA
2018 The Cellar Nathan Brown Deck Release, Philadelphia, PA
2019 Nocturnal Skateshop, The Bomb Final Deck Release, Philadelphia, PA
Freelance
2001 Moving in Medium DVD Producer/Music Director
2007 Gravity Skatehop Illustrator for shop deck
2008 Bluetile Skateshop Illustrator for shop deck and apparel
2009 www.Atlantahatesus.com Graphic Designer for website layout
2010 Nocturnal Illustrator for shop deck
2011 Anchor Skateboards Illustrator for shop deck
2012 Reveal skateboards Illustrator for signature and team decks