Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Cut It Up - Do It Yourself (Skate Deck)”?
Artist Statement
Skating is something you can do by yourself or with other people, but there are no real rules. I always liked to draw and paint, and skateboarding gave me a cooler outlet for creativity because I could make homemade stencils, shirts, stickers, and re-paint the bottom of my board. Skateboarding and punk rock with their DIY culture was a big breakthrough for me in terms of a creative outlet that allowed me to become the artist I am today. "The Cut It Up – Do It Yourself" skate deck was originally part of the Beyond The Streets x Adidas collaboration, this will be your last chance to get your hands on these decks, don't miss out! -Shepard The Cut It Up – Do It Yourself Custom Skateboard Deck. 32 x 8 1/4 inches. Lithograph on wood. Signed by Shepard Fairey. $80
Summary
Cut It Up - Do It Yourself (Skate Deck) is a 2020 Obey Giant release, a custom skateboard deck measuring 32 x 8 1/4 inches, lithograph on wood, signed by Shepard Fairey. The source does not state a numbered edition size. Fairey ties the design to his personal history with skateboarding and punk's DIY culture, which he credits as a breakthrough creative outlet that helped make him the artist he became. The deck was originally part of the Beyond The Streets x Adidas collaboration, and this release was described as a last chance to acquire the decks.
Why It Matters
This skate deck distills Fairey's origin story into a functional object. In the accompanying text he explains that skateboarding and punk rock, with their DIY culture, were a major breakthrough that let him make homemade stencils, shirts, stickers, and repaint his board, shaping him into the artist he became. As a lithograph-on-wood deck originally part of the Beyond The Streets x Adidas collaboration, it carries provenance tied to a notable street-art exhibition brand and a major footwear partner, broadening its appeal across skate, sneaker, and art-collecting communities. The source frames this release as a final opportunity to obtain the decks, which adds urgency though not confirmed sell-out status. For collectors, the deck's value lies in its authentic connection to Fairey's creative roots and its crossover collaboration pedigree. The source does not list a numbered edition, so scarcity claims must stay cautious, but the functional skate-deck format and the Beyond The Streets x Adidas association make it a desirable, story-rich object for those who collect Fairey's skate-culture works and collaborative releases rather than purely framed prints.
Collector Perspective
This deck appeals to skate-culture collectors, Beyond The Streets and Adidas collaboration followers, and Obey completists who pursue functional formats. Its lithograph-on-wood construction and 32 x 8 1/4 inch deck shape make it a sculptural wall object as well as a usable board, suiting collectors who want display variety beyond framed prints. The Beyond The Streets x Adidas provenance adds crossover appeal for sneaker and street-culture collectors. Because the source does not state a numbered edition, scarcity is uncertain, so buyers value it more for its authentic tie to Fairey's DIY origin story than for confirmed rarity. It pairs naturally with Fairey's other skate decks and collaboration pieces.
Historical Context
Released in late 2020 by Obey Giant, this deck connects to Fairey's foundational years in skate and punk DIY culture, which his statement credits as central to becoming an artist. Originally produced as part of the Beyond The Streets x Adidas collaboration, it reflects his ongoing partnerships with street-art institutions and major brands, and his practice of issuing functional skate decks alongside prints. The source presents this release as a last chance to acquire the decks, signaling the end of their availability without confirming a sell-out. Within his career arc it belongs to the collaboration-driven, culture-homage output of his later years, rooted in the subcultures that shaped his creative identity.
FAQ
What is this object and its dimensions?
It is a custom skateboard deck measuring 32 x 8 1/4 inches, produced as a lithograph on wood and signed by Shepard Fairey. It was published by Obey Giant in 2020 under the title Cut It Up - Do It Yourself.
What is the connection to Beyond The Streets and Adidas?
The source states the deck was originally part of the Beyond The Streets x Adidas collaboration. This release was described as the last chance to acquire these decks, giving the object a notable collaborative provenance.
Is there a stated edition size?
No. The source does not provide a numbered edition size for this skate deck. It confirms the deck is signed by Shepard Fairey, but scarcity beyond that is not documented in the record.
Why is the DIY theme significant to Fairey?
Fairey writes that skateboarding and punk rock's DIY culture were a major breakthrough for him, letting him make homemade stencils, shirts, stickers, and repaint his board, an outlet he credits with helping him become the artist he is today.
Related Works
About the Artist
Shepard Fairey (b. 1970, Charleston, South Carolina) is an American street artist, graphic designer, and activist, and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. His 1989 “André the Giant Has a Posse” sticker grew into the global OBEY GIANT campaign — an ongoing experiment in propaganda, obedience, and visual culture. He reached worldwide recognition with the 2008 “Hope” portrait of Barack Obama, now held by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Across screen prints, stencils, murals, and collage, Fairey channels propaganda aesthetics toward themes of peace, justice, environmentalism, and civil rights. His work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and LACMA.