Haroshi creates full-scale, three-dimensional, wooden sculptures with used skateboard decks. As a medium, skate decks differ from natural wood in that they are a processed material. Their size, shape and contours vary according to manufacturing brand and model. With his personal experience and vast knowledge, Haroshi is able to determine which skateboards fit together seamlessly. After a careful selection process, Haroshi stacks his chosen decks into layers, cuts mosaic pieces, assembles them into a desired shape and meticulously carves each form by hand with skilled precision. He achieves a colorful, striped pattern by stacking the boards with keen attention to the exposed rails (outer edges) rather than applying paint. Haroshi occasionally incorporates naturally broken boards in their original shattered form, creating textural contrast between smooth silhouette and splintered, raw edge. He also re-purposes discarded grip tape as a tool to sand and finish the surface before applying final seal.

 I have never heard a prayer that began with my name.
Quiero que sepas una cosa,
I saw you
hating white devils and black bourgeoisie.
Ven acá, vagabunda.

All I wanted was your love,
que tiene?
I see this rag-covered man pushing a shopping cart
hating white devils and black bourgeoisie.
Ven acá, vagabunda.

- PRW

This poem is written in the form commonly known as the “cento”, and what makes it unique is the fact that each line is from a different poem. In my unabashed confidence I began this poem thinking it was going to be an easy endeavor – it was at first – but after a couple of hours had passed I realized I had six poetry books open in my attempt to create a cohesive string of lines that one could call “poetry”. I used a large span of poets: from Pablo Neruda to Patricia Smith, William Blake to Margaret Walker, I even had to reach for back-burner poets like Grace Bruenderman. Centos are generally limited to a short stanza, and that’s where I wanted to create my separation (it was also what caused my problems). In the end, I think it worked out.

* Here is a list of translations for the people like myself who lack the ability to speak Spanish:

Title:Come here, vagabond
Line 2: Walking in the sand I decided to leave you
Line 5: Come here, vagabond
Line 7: I want you to know one thing
Line 10: Come here, vagabond
Line 12: what’s wrong with you?
Line 15: Come here, vagabond

I give up.