Brazilian skateboarding sensation, Leticia Bufoni, recently joined forces with Johannesburg-based artist Fhatuwani Mukheli for a special collaboration. Together, they designed custom skateboard decks in true African style. Bufoni kicked off the collaboration by hosting a workshop at Pimville Skatepark alongside local skate star, Brandon Valjalo. The event featured demonstrations of skateboarding skills, sharing of knowledge, and the giveaway of multiple signed boards.
Mukheli, is the co-founder and director of I See a Different You, a collective of Soweto-born creatives. Bufoni’s collaboration with Mukheli also welcomed members from Island Gals Shred, a community-built by women in skateboarding to embrace and increase the female skateboarding scene in Africa. The finishing touches on their new custom boards were added by Bufoni and two young skaters, adding a splash of their own identity merged with Mukheli’s afro modern aesthetic.
Skateboarding has for many years had a strong association with visual art – making it a popular art medium. “Working with Leticia Bufoni was great, the collaboration made me feel like a kid again. I’ve always loved skateboarding and having to customise them for one of the best skaters in the world was like a dream come true!”, says Mukheli.