In a world where creative expression often intersects with deeper societal issues, Beneficial Shock! magazine stands as a unique platform that uses film and art to explore cultural, social, and personal challenges.
For their recent exhibition which takes place at 6pm on Thursday, October 24, at Campus Pool, Whitchurch Lane, Bishopsworth, Wheels in Motion , the magazine has partnered with Campus Skateboarding to shine a light on mental health through the lens of skate culture.
The exhibition will feature limited edition screenprinted and painted skateboards which will be displayed alongside explanations about the artwork – all inspired by seminal skateboard films.
Two of the boards displayed have been created in collaboration with a group of young people as part of a workshop facilitated by Beneficial Shock! artists, helping to cast a light on the valuable process of collaboration in creating art pieces inspired by film.
Gabriel Solomons, the editor of Beneficial Shock! explained that the idea grew from a youth project with A-level film students that tackled the theme of mental health in movies.
This sparked a desire to explore the subject further, leading to the creation of Wheels in Motion .
He says: “The theme of the new issue of Beneficial Shock! is ‘fun and games’, and so the starting point was skating films and skating culture in general. I popped along to Campus with my kids to have a skate, had a chat with Tim Knowles about a potential collaboration, and off we went.”
The partnership between Beneficial Shock! and Campus Skateboarding seemed a natural fit, as both organisations aim to use their core interests to foster connection and community.
Gabriel explained: “Beneficial Shock! uses film as a starting point to creatively explore wider issues and topics, as does Campus—using skateboarding and skate culture as a way to tackle issues around personal self-esteem, social inclusion, and community building.”
For Gabriel, the connection between skateboarding and mental health became apparent through films like Dogtown and Z-Boys and Minding the Gap . These movies highlighted the challenges faced by skateboarders, from addiction to family troubles. He notes that projects like the Ben Raemer’s Foundation, which focuses on suicide prevention, have also brought attention to mental health issues within the skateboarding world. “There’s a greater understanding now around pretty important issues within the sport,” he says.
One of the most striking aspects of Wheels in Motion is its emphasis on community and youth involvement. When asked how skateboarding’s tight-knit community has been reflected in this project, Gabriel points to events like a screening of Skate Kitchen at Watershed, where diverse organisations and individuals came together to discuss the film, skateboarding, and mental health. The accompanying workshop encouraged participants—ranging from students to Campus Pool regulars—to create artwork inspired by the film’s themes, resulting in a mix of discussions and creative output that made for a rich and inclusive experience.
The goal of Wheels in Motion , Gabriel says, is to help young people develop critical thinking, collaboration, and art-direction skills.
“Those involved from the skateboarding community have deepened their appreciation and awareness of film’s role in highlighting wider issues around the sport,” he adds. By bringing young people together with artists, the exhibition bridges the gap between art, film, and community, offering new perspectives on the relationship between skate culture and mental health.
He highlighted that those who have experienced low self-esteem, loneliness, bullying, gender discrimination, or more severe mental health issues like suicidal thoughts are those who have benefitted as well as groups supporting them. The exhibition offers them an opportunity to engage in discussions, view artwork, and watch films that address these themes, creating a space for empathy and understanding.
The exhibition features a collection of skateboards, each designed in response to iconic skate films. It’s a blend of creativity and homage to the cinematic world that has often reflected the struggles and triumphs of skateboarders. One standout piece is inspired by Harmony Korine’s controversial film Gummo , which explores the lives of marginalised teens. Another skateboard draws from Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night , a unique Iranian vampire western that delves into themes of secularism and female empowerment.
Of particular significance are two skateboards created by young people during a workshop led by Eilis Dart and Adam Hogarth.
Gabriel adds: “The open-ness of the young people meant that the content created through exercises like word-play and colour study provided so much potential for the end results.”
The boards were inspired by Skate Kitchen , a film about an all-female skateboarding crew in New York, and reflect the personal thoughts and feelings of the workshop participants.
While each board has its own story, Gabriel mentions a few other standout pieces. Waxbones’ board draws inspiration from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World , while Yee Poon’s ‘Rise Above’ board celebrates the rebellious spirit of Dogtown and Z-Boys . “Each has a story to tell, and we’re hoping people will want to know more when they see the boards ‘in the flesh’,” he adds.
Mental health awareness is at the core of Wheels in Motion . Each film chosen for the exhibition’s skateboards deals with mental health in some form, whether it’s the isolation experienced by skaters searching for their community or more severe issues like familial abuse. Gabriel hopes that the exhibition not only contributes to the wider discussion around these topics but also challenges entrenched gender stereotypes within skate culture.
The proceeds from the exhibition will go toward supporting Campus Skateboarding’s mental health initiatives. As a non-profit organisation, Campus relies on community engagement and resources to continue its work in fostering social inclusion and providing opportunities for young people. Gabriel explains that the sale of the limited-edition boards will contribute to Campus’s ongoing efforts in community building.
Gabriel also looked to the future, with envisions expanding the project to include more screenings and discussions, bringing a wider range of films into the conversation. “We would like to extend the screening program to show a range of films, including documentaries and short films that further bridge this connection between skate culture, film, and art,” he says.
In the long term, Gabriel hopes that the exhibition will have a lasting impact on both skate culture and the broader conversation around mental health. By bringing different creative disciplines and communities together, Wheels in Motion opens up new avenues for understanding how skateboarding and mental health intersect.
“I love how focusing on skateboarding in particular has opened my eyes to wider issues,” Gabriel reflects. “Film has always been a launchpad to explore social, cultural, environmental, and political ideas that surround us and make us who we are.”
Gabriel concluded by sharing his thoughts on the power of skate culture as a form of self-expression. “Art has always been integral to the world of skateboarding,” he says. “Much like hip-hop, skating is so much more than the sport. It’s about self-expression, whether in the way you skate, the clothes you wear, or the art that adorns your board.”