Behind the lens: Jocelyn Tam

After leaving her home in Hong Kong to spend time in Australia and London, Jocelyn’s curiosity in youth led her to work on a series of documentaries with skateboarders across Europe. These documentaries form her project Skate Create Unknown, which shines the spotlight on creative people who are passionate about skateboarding. Shooting portraits on film, her photos depict her interpretation of the subject’s story.

How did you get into skateboarding and become so immersed in the global skate community?
When I was a teenager, I wanted to skate so much that I bought myself a skateboard, but I hurt myself so bad once that my mum stopped me skateboarding. I guess moving to London gave me a chance to get back into it.

I used to go to House of Vans very often. I met Patricio Alvarez, Sophia Bennett at South Bank and Eloise Dörr at Parlour skate store. Later on, I started going to Mile End and got to know more people. The people I have met in the community are truly awesome. It feels like a big family and we are here for one another.

Louisa Menke. Photo: Jocelyn Tam — Louisa Menke, Berlin 2015. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

What inspired you to start Skate Create Unknown?
I think all the good friends I made in the skateboarding community inspired me. Also, I think the media is mostly covering the skateboarders doing tricks, which I think is great and I respect that, however, for me I want to cover the creative people who are striving to make this community better and stronger. I think their stories are inspiring and I want to share those stories with people. I guess for me, it’s just another perspective. I learn so much from all these interviews and have so much respect for these people!

What are your future plans/goals for Skate Create Unknown?
The first thing is uploading all the interviews that I have done. The wait has been way too long. I hope to connect more with the local community and South East Asia. I would love to get to know more female skateboarders and share their stories. Maybe some collaborations with other skateboarders. In the future, I really hope that there will be a print media of Skate Create Unknown and an exhibition.

“Everything is connected, I believe.”

Who was your favorite person to interview and why?
This is a very tough question! Since every single one is special. If I have to say one, Sergej Vutuc. It might be because Sergei is a photographer himself. I arrived at his studio. Sergei was preparing his trip to Japan, literally it was next morning. So I was very thankful for the time that he made for the interview. At the beginning, I sat on the couch, looking around his studio. Things on the shelfs, vinyls that he plays (so many!), prints on the floors, notes on the wall. While Sergei was busy at organising prints, numbering, assembling zines and etc.

Sergei didn’t talk much or he was too focused at preparing. After 15 minutes, I started having a conversation with Sergei. He is a straight forward person, he tells you his points of views on art, music and skateboarding; also challenges your way of thinking (in a good way). He is a very generous, open minded person, with a sense of humour. I just wish I had more time with him!

The Start. Photo: Jocelyn Tam — The Start, London 2015. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Do you photograph many skaters in Hong Kong or mostly overseas?
I am doing both now. I have been quiet for a while but will be going to Go Skateboarding Day in June in Hong Kong, and I am so looking forward to it! Since I started Skate Create Unknown, whenever I go travelling or working overseas I try to stay behind for a few days, get in touch with local skateboarders and do interviews.

You shoot a lot of fashion photography; do you feel this discipline is completely separate from your skate photography or do they influence each other?
Everything is connected, I believe.

Interview: Sarah Huston
Photos: Jocelyn Tam