Hometown: Clifton, New Jersey, United States Stance: Regular Bobby Puleo is a renowned skateboarder and artist whose career spans decades, intertw... View more

Hometown: Clifton, New Jersey, United States Stance: Regular Bobby Puleo is a renowned skateboarder and artist whose career spans decades, intertwining his passion for skateboarding with a deep appreciation for urban art and culture. Born and raised in Clifton, New Jersey, Puleo began skateboarding at age 10 in the mid-1980s, after being introduced to it by a friend who returned from the Jersey Shore with a Brand X skateboard. His first setup was a Powell Peralta Sword and Skull, and he quickly became immersed in the East Coast skate scene. Puleo’s early skateboarding influences included legends like Mark Gonzales, and his exposure to skate videos like NSA's "Southwest Regional Championships" (1986) expanded his understanding of skateboarding culture, despite the video’s focus on vert rather than street skating, where Puleo would make his mark. By the early '90s, Puleo was a fixture at the Brooklyn Banks, a gritty hub of urban skate culture, where he was inspired by the chaos and graffiti that filled the space. This environment shaped his approach to skateboarding, emphasizing creativity and spot discovery. He became known for his ability to find unique and hidden spots in New York City, especially cellar doors, and he is often credited with reinterpreting the city’s landscape for street skating. Puleo’s artistic side developed alongside his skateboarding career, drawing influence from the streets he skated. He began collecting found objects, such as graffiti, street debris, and numbers, which he incorporated into his artwork. His art reflects his fascination with numerology and symbolism, using these elements as personal expressions of urban life. Puleo’s involvement with the "Same Old" project, which focuses on preserving skateboarding’s history, further highlights his commitment to keeping skate culture alive. Despite the commercialization of skateboarding, Puleo remains an advocate for creativity and authenticity, often critiquing the influence of corporate sponsorships like Nike. Throughout his career, he has remained dedicated to exploring new spots, valuing the integrity of skateboarding over its mainstream acceptance. Show less