Skate legend Ed Templeton has lived more than one life in the public eye.
For many, he first came into focus during the 1990s as a street skater who seemed to treat handrails and stair sets like they were part of his natural habitat.
At the same time, he was building something lasting with Toy Machine, a skateboard company that became known for its offbeat humor, sharp graphics, and a steady lineup of talented riders.
But Templeton’s influence reaches far beyond his time on the board. Over the past three decades, he’s carved out a place in the art world with photographs and paintings that capture both the beautiful and uncomfortable moments of human life.
His latest exhibition, Wires Crossed, shown at NILS STÆRK in Copenhagen, takes viewers deep into a world he knows intimately.
The images are part street photography, part insider’s view of skateboarding culture. While walking through the city with a camera in hand, Templeton zeroes in on strangers, moments, and details that many people might overlook.
His fascination with people in public spaces started in the mid-1990s after discovering the work of Nan Goldin and Larry Clark.
Make sure to watch the full video to know more.