All-time Supreme skateboard decks

In case you have forgotten, Supreme will always primarily consider itself a skate shop based out of NYC. As much as the brand’s tees and hoodies have been hyped, skateboard decks are the defining product of the brand. As befitting the brand, many skateboard decks have been released over the years, some that are considered works of art and fetch absurdly high prices which reflect demand similar to the art market. Supreme has a storied history of using skateboard decks as a canvas for prominent artists to showcase their flair. It is amazing how much a piece of wood can impact lives. Whether being hung in the walls of international galleries or grinded on a parking lot (much more likely the former), these skateboard decks have brought a lot of exposure to both Supreme and the artists who have worked with the label.

In January 2019, the full collection of every single Supreme skateboard deck (brought to auction by Laguna Beach resident Ryan Fuller) ever made sold for $800,000 at Sotheby’s. Even though $800,000 is a hefty sum, when you factor in the cuts going to the middleman and Uncle Sam, the payout for Fuller comes out to around $450,000 — not an insignificant sum, mind you, but I still would never spend that much money on a collection. Doing the math for the grand total of 248 decks, and this comes out to approximately $2,000 per deck. The more recently released decks do not sell for anywhere near $2,000, but I suppose you have to factor in the two decades of work that Fuller put into procuring each deck and chasing them across continents when the internet wasn’t fully operational.

Anyway, skateboarding is woven into Supreme’s DNA so here you go.

1. The Last Supper (2002)

You probably know the story behind the iconic painting. You probably didn’t know that Supreme used the central section of Leonardo da Vinci’s 15th century masterpiece to spread it across five individual boards instead of filling the length of a single board. The sixth individual deck depicting Jesus Christ was only released in Japan. The box logo sticker that released with the deck is equally rare. As far as Supreme decks go, it is incredibly difficult to find a single deck let alone a full intact set. Supreme at its finest here using religious iconography to highlight its own supremacy in the skatewear game. Or maybe it’s saying Jesus Christ reigns Supreme?

2. Damien Hirst (2009)

Damien Hirst is one of the most expensive living artists in the world — with a net worth of $2 billion — and also one of the most controversial. The British artist has displayed dead animal carcasses suspended in formaldehyde as art. Taking inspiration from his spots painting, the five individual Hirst decks each have a distinctive pattern. Although Hirst has said that he wants these skateboards to be used for their intended purpose, the full set alone has fetched upwards of $10,000 on other art auction sites so you probably will not see anyone pushing on these.

3. Nate Lowman (2007)

Aside from the bright orange and hot pink color of the decks, you will notice that these bullet hole-ridden skate decks look like they were shot up. The artist’s bullet hole design has graced the walls of the original store in SoHo since its opening. It was only a matter of time before he unveiled something wearable. These decks were only available to a few select employees along with box logo tees also adorned with the same bullet hole motif. These would form the template for a later release. The bullet hole design was also utilized for Supreme’s Shibuya store opening box logo tee and skate deck in Japan in 2012.

4. Robert Longo (2011)

Robert Longo’s photorealistic charcoal drawings of well-dressed businessmen writhing in agony from “Men in the Cities” still evoke a deep emotion. The set of three decks depict a visually striking black and white images of a man’s contorted pose with an upturned necktie (think of a noose), contours of a nude body, and a nuclear explosion (Ivy Mike). This haunting series designed by Longo represents a fascination with popular culture and the profound yet elusive meaning behind our society.

5. Jeff Koons (2006)

Jeff Koons is another one of the most expensive living artists in the world. His work is pretty ubiquitous and it is highly probable that you have seen his work without realizing it. His most famous pieces are “Ballerina Girl” displayed at Rockefeller Square, “Balloon Dog,” and the cover art for Lady Gaga’s 2013 album Art Pop. His collaboration with Supreme highlighted his work “Monkey Train.” The playful set of three decks with smiling monkeys caught the notice of the art world instead of just skaters. Another interesting fact is that Koons and Supreme both respectively have famous collaborations with French luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton (both from 2017 as well). Koon’s extensive LV collaboration, titled “Masters,” marked his crossover into the luxury world and featured plastered images of masterpieces throughout art history onto luxury goods: handbags, scarves, and wallets.

6. Supreme Louis Vuitton Bootleg (2000)

I’m not talking about the $54,500 retail Supreme Louis Vuitton official collaboration deck that released in 2017. This is the OG version that caused Louis Vuitton to file a cease-and-desist letter against Supreme. Part of the collection of box logo tees and caps prominently displayed Supreme’s play on the LV monogram, causing it to be pulled within two weeks of the release. Of course, people managed to keep the ones they purchased already and the entire collection remains highly coveted for its hallowed place in Supreme’s renegade history.

7. KAWS (2001)

Jersey City-based artist KAWS incorporated the Michelin Man-like Chum figure into two decks: one black, one red. The first collaboration between the artist and Supreme was produced in limited numbers: only 150 made in red and black. The later collaboration featured a hand-drawn Supreme box logo by KAWS but the Chum figure beats it. His larger-than-life sculptures of hybrid cartoon and human characters and vibrant paintings demonstrate his sophisticated humor and interplay with modern consumer products.

8. Kermit Box Logo (2008)

Who would’ve thought putting a Muppet in a Supreme box logo tee would be so legendary? Officially sanctioned by the creator of the Muppets himself, Jim Henson, Supreme created a mini box logo tee just for Kermit to rock during the photoshoot helmed by now-disgraced photographer Terry Richardson. The set of three decks (red, yellow, blue) cemented Kermit’s status.

9. Takashi Murakami (1997)

The set of three decks created by the Japanese artist is one of the more colorful collaborations. Each deck featured a different animated character and pattern. Murakami’s characteristic “Superflat” technique combines Nihonga, a 19th century Japanese painting style and modern Japanese art used in anime. The flat planes of color he employs leave us open to his psychedelic art. Takashi Murakami has notably worked with Louis Vuitton, Kanye West, KAWS, Virgil Abloh, Damien Hirst, Visvim, Vans, and more.

10. George Condo (2010)

The American contemporary artist released a set of three decks featuring his version of Superman and two nude women. Condo’s characters’ bulging eyes and cheeks, and grotesque overbites or underbites are strikingly original and ready to confront the viewer with a range of emotions. The artist’s trademark “artificial realism” graced the cover of Kanye West’s album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy the same year. The controversial and provocative cover art depicted Kanye engaged in a sexual act with a white, arm-less, nude phoenix woman and was ultimately censored by iTunes and other major stores carrying his music. Up until last year, Kanye used a Condo painting as his Twitter profile picture.

Honorable Mentions: Box Logo (1998), Ryan McGuiness Pantone (2000), Motion Logo (1998), Rammellzee (2002), Dan Colen (2003), Peter Saville (2005), Larry Clark (2005), Richard Prince (2007), Peter Saville (2005), Sean Cliver (2008), Snow White (2011), Flags (2013), Grand Prix Cruiser (2014), International (2015), and Urs Fischer (2016)