Sirens

(c) Liz Cockrum

Via the marvellous Shakas and Singlefins I came across Liz Cockrum who has combined her passion for photography and surfing to capture the images of different generations of female surfers. Through a series of landscape, portrait and detail images Liz records the past, present and future of women as individuals in surfing.

Here's her own take on the Sirens collection.

The sport of surfing extends beyond wave riding and casual afternoons at the beach. Surfing is a lifestyle and a culture, rich with traditions that span continents and generations. Women have played a role in the progression of surfing since its birth in Hawaii centuries ago, but recent decades have seen a great shift in their place within the sport. As surfing rose to popularity on the mainland United States in the 1950’s, women were largely viewed as beach bunnies, rather than athletes. Through their athleticism, creativity and positive contributions to surf culture, female surfers have changed that perception and are now accepted as respected and influential members of the surf community.

The surfers I have photographed are full of passion and determination, but participate in the surf world without the dominating ego that has been prevalent in this culture for decades. Some of these women are professional surfers known around the globe, while others have only recently “caught the bug” and are still very much beginners. Regardless of their skill level, each of these women demonstrates a mindset focused on ideals that are uncommon in an all-male line-up.

My intention with this body of work is to celebrate the courageous and innovative females who are pioneering this shift towards a more positive, open surf culture. These images speak to broader ideas related to women in modern society, the power of determination and sub-cultures within a larger community. Through portraits, landscapes and details I want to explore a little-seen side of surfing, and focus the viewer’s attention on the individuals who are an integral part of a unique culture.

Eden Project launches Eco Surf Board

The Eden Project launched an environmentally friendly surfboard which could "revolutionise" the industry, creators said.

The new board was produced by the Eden Project and started life as a giant balsa tree which fell to the ground in the Rainforest Biome at its site near St Austell, Cornwall, in south west England.

Over five years, staff at Eden worked with three other companies, Homeblown, Sustainable Composites and Laminations, to produce the board which is made from 50 per cent renewable materials.

The move is a significant step forward from the petroleum chemicals used in traditional surfboard production.

Borderlands

Philip George's Islamic Surfboards

Just spotted an article which sparked my interest on the BBC website. Philip George is an Australian artist who creates beautifully patterned surfboards with artwork and motifs from the Islamic world.

He has recently produced an exhibition, on display at Casula Powerhouse in Sydney until 18 January, which looks stunning. The exhibition, entitled Borderlands, is the culmination of 7 years of work carried out by Phillip George within Australia and throughout the Middle East.

In the words of the artist: "The emblematic ‘Inshalla’ (God Willing) surfboards symbolically provide buoyancy in the spaces between borders: the Australian beach and the edges of Western culture, and the Islamic world. Borderlands celebrates the metaphysical art of Arabic, Ottoman and Persian worlds and the transcendental nature of surfing, of which both traditions speak to the wonder and complexity of the universe."

New album from Neil Halstead

Since listening to Neil Halstead last week I've been obsessed with a couple of songs he played at both gigs. Tracking them down has been virtually impossible but this must be because they are off his new solo album, due for release in the UK 29 July.

Living in Cornwall, with a penchant for surfing, bikes and the cultivation of facial hair, Neil is now signed to Brushfire Records and this is his second solo album. He's touring with Jack Johnson in the States during August but is currently lining up some UK and European gigs for September.

Thankfully Neil has just uploaded two songs off the new record, Oh Mightly Engine! onto his MySpace page and they are most definitely worth a listen.

The Happening in the UK

The Happening at Village Underground

This week I was lucky enough to check at The Happening in both London and Cornwall. On Tuesday night the show rolled into Village Underground, Shoreditch. The venue was great and it was a nice sunny evening which is always a bonus. The brick, arched interior provided an atmospheric backdrop and the rooftop terrace, scattered with reconditioned tube carriages, was set up by the Roxy crew with promotional posters and clothing.

Photography by Joe Curren

With art from established names such as Andy Davis, Thomas Campbell, Harry Daily and David Lloyd, photography from Joe Curren and Ryan Heywood, films from Woodshed productions and music from Mason Jennings, Neil Halstead, Zach Gill and G Love it really was a rare treat.

Zach Gill

However, it was a disappointment that there weren't more artists on hand to talk about their artwork and inject some real life into the fantastic array of pictures and films that the event its supposed to represent. In their absence, which was partly due to the artists having to fund their own travel, there was no information available on the art which left the focus firmly on the music and film. It was also a shame that so many people who should have known about the show well in advance saw it completely pass them by. Tickets were available on the door and there was plenty of room inside. This wasn't through a lack of interest, but largely because the marketing for this event was pretty low key and communications virtually non-existant.

The tube carriages

Fast forward three days to a windswept, sodden Gwithian and The Happening had arrived in Cornwall. The weather outside had no impact on the jubilant mood inside and the Sandsifter was packed the rafters with a tent out the front to host the musicians who included Mason Jennings, Neil Halstead, Matt Costa and G Love.

Matt Costa

The vibe was really friendly and although the art was a bit crammed in it felt very at home in its location. It was a bonus to meet Mike Fordham, man behind September and the Book of Surfing, and chat with Helen Gilchrest about her plans for Stranger magazine. There weren't any pieces from Wolfgang Bloch or Andrew Kidman but it was good to see local artists such as Ben Cooke represented.

Harry Daily

I had pretty high expectations for the Happening and although I certainly wasn't disappointed I would have liked to have seen more focus on the artwork. Cornwall hosts gigs all the time but the opportunity to see art from some of the most recognised surf artists of our time is much rarer. The concept is genius and lets hope they come back even bigger and better next year.

Roxy Jam Biarritz

Finally, Roxy has uploaded the information on the 2008 Roxy Jam in Biarritz. With the perfect combination of art, music and some of the most stylish longboard surfers in the world, the festival is going to be awesome.

The Roxy Jam will take place between 11 and 16 July in and around Biarritz in South West France.

Check out all the info at http://www.roxyjam.com/

Finisterre & Observer Ethical Awards = Cornish Gold

I'm a bit behind the curve on this news but I couldn't not give it a mention. Earlier this month Finisterre , the Cornish surf culture company, won the Observer Ethical Award for Ethical Business of the Year. Fantastic recognition for the hard work and real commitment the guys have given to founding and successfully running an ethical, sustainable, inspiring and individual company.

Here's why the judges awarded Finisterre with the Gold...

We're not into the whole corporate culture or in a rush to achieve super-aggressive sales targets,' says Finisterre founder Tom Kay, who set up the winning ethical surf-wear brand six years ago with a Prince's Trust grant. To be honest, his corporate disclaimer is superfluous once you visit the three Finisterre idealists who run the brand from their surfer caravans in St Agnes, Cornwall.

This is clearly no normal fashion label. In fact, it's all about 'testing convention', from the way they (very efficiently) run their mail order through the tiny local post office, shun cheap fabrics in favour of renewable or recyclable fibres, and have pulled out of China ('That would be considered commercial suicide for most sportswear brands,' says marketing man Ernie Capbert) in favour of working with nuns in Colombia and a women's outreach project.

Our panellist eco-designer Max McMurdo appreciated the way the brand had resisted the temptation to go too high end, as so many ethical labels do, and admired the way Finisterre refused to 'distance itself from the high street' but instead normalised ethical production. The design is not bad either. GQ magazine declared the Finisterre Anabatic shell jacket one of the '100 Best Things Right Now' last year. Now we declare it an ethical winner.

Go here to see the award video and find out more.

Sustainability in Surfing

Having bowled up to the Eden Project more than a couple of times it’s always good to have a reason to visit the giant biomes other than to see if the Titan arum (aka the stinking flower) has bloomed to exceed the previous year’s heady heights of 164 cm or whatever its current record is.

Last week saw the opening of a new exhibition highlighting sustainability in surfing which showcases the striking artwork of Ben Cook whilst raising awareness of the murkier side of the sport that’s inherent in the many surf-related objects that are non bio-degradable and toxic.

The main focus of the exhibition is an original VW Westfalia camper with surfboards and wetsuits trailing out of the back, based on a 1969 installation by Joseph Beuyes’s that explored human survival in the face of technological failure. The original work had 24 sleds falling from the rear of a camper van with each sled having a roll of fat strapped to it for warmth, a lump of animal fat for energy and a torch for direction.

Ben has swapped the sled for surfboards, the felt for wetsuits, the animal fat for surf wax and the original flashlights have been replaced with tide tables to represent survival and direction. In addition to The Pack 2008 you can also view further exhibits in The Core where groundbreaking sustainable materials being developed by Cornish companies such as Homeblown Surfboards and Sustainable Composites, have been used to create wall-based abstract ‘landscape paintings’.

In an interview with the utterly brilliant Stranger magazine Ben Cook said: “I want to raise awareness of ecological issues relevant to the surfing community through my work.” The whole exhibition highlights the serious environmental consequences of surfing becoming an increasing popular leisure activity across the world in the 21st century.

The exhibition runs at The Eden Project. until September 4 and Ben's stylish eco-friendly landscape paintings are available to purchase.

David Lloyd

Backside Rip Tide

Came across the artwork of David Lloyd earlier this week and really like photograph painting combinations on his website. The image here is one of my favourites but Solar Arch and Blue Green Surf Girl are also stunners.

Stay away from surfing themes in your art, said the gallery people, because it won't be good for your career. So, at first, David Lloyd avoided images of waves and beaches and became well known in the art world for his complex, vibrant, and enigmatic abstractions. But the more he denied the impulse to explore the activity that has most colored his life, the stronger it became. He began to create surf paintings quietly, on the side, with devotion.

Lloyd believes anyone who surfs should be involved in design and has a number of bizarre-looking boards to record his journey. Lloyd admits that to search endlessly is better than to find. He relishes the longing for waves that may not even exist. It is that longing that lights his imagination ablaze to paint the parade of moments and days from the fiery ocean.

Lloyd's work evokes the memories that all surfers have stored up inside. They remind us of daydreams and of waves that might someday be, "Deep in your head there is this place, and it's not Huntington Pier," he says. “Surfers live in longing for that moment, they relish the anticipation. But arriving there is never as good as you picture it. Eventually, your memory mixes up all these snapshots of the best days and they all become part of this inner place." Anticipation and memory, those long-lived impressions flanking the instantaneous rush of a wave, are paramount.

Three Exhibition at LCB

(C) Kate Czuczman

Opening on 25 June, the LCB surf shop in London's Brick Lane will host an exhibition of surf photography by three of the UK's top female foam snappers. Lucia Griggi, Kate Czuczman and Mel Enright met through shared friends and projects whilst surfing. Bonded by their desire to travel and surf and a love for one another's work they have collaborated on this exhibition that contrasts their different photographic journeys through a shared surfing experience.

Each of the three photographers will display their own distinctive style and medium to document the same surf subject matter, demonstrating how the one location can be seen in such contrast through different eyes.

Lucia is one of the very few female professional surf photographers in the UK and her work regualrly graves the pages of all the main British surfing magazines. Lucia takes pictures that capture "different facets of the surfing lifestyle" and this exhibition will also feature some of her images laminated onto surfboards and 'other' objects. Kate founded the surf travel company Big Friday with whom she has travelled around the world. Along the way she picked up an insatiable thirst for old skool cameras and different film formats. Mel first started documenting her travels on a six-month surfing sabbatical five years ago and is most interested in the powerful natural beauty of the surfing sea, landscape and people; the play of light, bold colour and pattern.

The show runs from 25 June through to 14 August www.lcbsurfstore.com

Yearning for the Shortstraw

I really love the vibe of this art-based surf wear brand. Co-founded by Jim Mitchell, Sam Coombes and Ben Waters these guys take their inspiration from "pre-war Hawaii and its original innovators, 50’s and 60’s California and its smooth stylemasters, the wild trailblazers of Australia in the late 60’s and 70’s, through to the present free-thinking watermen who embody a new time of openness, reverence and genuine stoke for difference and variety."

Shortstraw offers a refreshing approach to surf wear that embraces the original concept of the sport - the joy of foam dancing. They've only been going a couple of years but came from the stables of Mambo and so, with a combination of talent and experience, Shortstraw has already won over some of the most influential stockists in their native Australia and in the States. Great website, great brand, awesome threads but one request... please can you roll out some gear for the girls?

www.shortstraw.com.au

UK dates for The Happening

The Happening Live has added an extra date to its world tour. Arriving in London on 1 July the first show takes place at The Village Underground in Shoreditch then rolls into Cornwall on the 4 July for another evening at The Sandsifter in Godrevy, Cornwall. Tickets are available through See for £18 for the Cornwall night and £16 for the London gig. Can't wait...

Roxy posted a new video from the Tokyo event on YouTube... Check it out.

Don't Ban Bilbo!

Bilbo in action down at Sennen

Now I am a big fan of the RNLI but I read this on The Telegraph website today and I have to say that on this occassion I question the judgement...

Bilbo the dog lifeguard sacked by the RNLI

Bilbo, a seven-year-old Newfoundland, had to pass fitness and swimming tests before he could join patrols on the beach at Sennen Cove in Cornwall and he has been credited with helping save three lives. But the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) - which recently took over the running of the beach from the local council - has decided that his services are no longer required.

A spokeswoman said: "The RNLI is contracted to provide a professional lifeguarding service on the beach and has fully trained lifeguards to do this. Bilbo is a privately-owned dog and does not belong to the RNLI. The RNLI will not be using the dog to save lives at sea but does not have the authority to ban dogs from the beach." Bilbo was a regular fixture on the beach and often seen wearing his lifeguard's vest which carried a number of safety messages on it, warning swimmers about the dangerous areas.

The Newfoundlander's great size and fondness for water makes them well suited to the role of rescue dog. "Everyone loves him and he's become an indispensable part of the team," said Steve Jamieson, Bilbo's owner and the head lifeguard on the beach. "If an alert comes in, his ears start twitching and he knows something is on. Once when we were at an otherwise deserted beach checking equipment he heard some body boarders shouting. He ran into the water and swam out to them. They weren't in any danger and were just enjoying themselves but Bilbo was there in case they needed him."

Mr Jamieson, who patrols the beach on his quad bike with 14-stone Bilbo riding on the back, told The Daily Mirror newspaper he was shocked by the decision. "It's a scandal, an absolute disgrace. Bilbo has had fantastic support."

So he's allowed to hang out on the beach and can still turn up for a photoshoot but I think it is a great shame that the RNLI will not recognise that Bilbo has an official role to play. He is a fantastic asset to the team and regardless of his inability to perform CPR or drive the quad bike he undoubtedly raises awareness about the dangers of swimming in the sea, makes the lifeguards more approachable and has been a fantastic PR for the vital role that Beach Lifeguards play up and down the British coastline... all of which the RNLI should use to their advantage.

Surfing in the Sixties

My uncle, grannie, mum and auntie sharing a wave - Cornwall 1964

Maggie Marsek Exhibition

Another event I would love to go and see. Maggie has some fantastic pictures on her website, I really like the first image on her homepage. You can order prints from her direct but I bet there are some sweet new images at her solo show down at Shelter Surf Shop which opens 31 May. Hopefully someone will post some photos then.

Talking of posting exhibition images, Ryan Tatar rocked down to The Surf Gallery to see the current Long Live Love exhibition... if you like the art of Andy Davis and Tyler Warren you should take a look.

Heather Brown

Heather Brown - In the Barrel

Hawaiian surf artist, Heather Brown is featured in the latest edition of Foam Magazine. There were a load of positive comments after the feature on the website which prompted me to check out her website.

Based on Oahu's north shore, Heather is a surfer and artist who doesn't have to search very far for inspiration. The islands that are her home, the enviable choice of perfect breaks and her love of the sea all combine to make up the essence of her art.

Working in various mediums including acrylics, photography, woodblock prints, screen prints, intaglio prints and linocuts her pictures have a beautiful stained glass effect and she has evidently established a substantial fan base. The picture posted here is from 2006 and has appeared on the pages of both Free Surf magazine and Longboard magazine in 2007.

Having recently been commissioned to do the artwork for Jack Johnson's 2008 Kokua Fest concert, Heather is about to host a solo exhibition entitled fresh flavours of surf at the Chinatown Boardroom in Honolulu which opens on 30 April and runs for the month of May.

Loose-Fit Film Night

I watched the trailer for One California Day and the film looks awesome. This is an artistic surf documentary about surf culture and the traditions of the sport, filmed across six different coastal regions in California and focusing in on the lives of seven different surfers. The movie has been available on DVD stateside since November 2007 but Loose-Fit, in North Devon, is one of the few places in the UK that stocks it.

Following the success of their first film night last month in Bristol, Loose-Fit has decided to do a re-run of the event, this time showing One California Day on Sunday 4 May at 8pm. Here's a trailer that gives some insight into the making of the documentary.



While i'm on the subject, Loose-Fit has a great website and recently I signed up to their 'daily drop' delivering a slice of North Devon beach life straight to my inbox two or three times a week. Nice.The website is great with lots of non-commercial content, the shops look cool, damn they even have a gallery space which has hosted exhibitions by Alex Knost and Devon Howard - have a gander yourself www.loose-fit.co.uk

Way of The Bird

Having taken a look at Andy Davis’ art I spotted that a while back he had co-written a book with Andrew Kidman which I tracked down on Amazon the other week. It arrived from America really quickly and straight out of the box I read the story of the boy who meets an old man who teaches him to surf and becomes a very influential friend.

Teaming Andy Davis’ illustrations with Andrew Kidman’s photography resulted in a beautiful fit. The book maybe aimed at children but its appeal extends far wider, teaching its readers about the history of surfing, instilling an appreciation for the waves and cultivating a respect for the environment.

I loved simplicity of this book and the enchanting mystery behind the story reminded me of the wonderful Ernest Hemmingway novel The Old Man and The Sea. If I haven't done a good enough job of convincing you it's well worth a read then here is the link to an interview with Andy and Andrew about this book from back in July 2003.

The Art of Surfing

I was interested to find about a new show touring the country this year entitled 'an art history of British Surfing'. The exhibition has been put together by Brighton-based not for profit organisation, The Surfing Museum and is sponsored by the clothing company Oxbow and the Kind Design graphics team in North Devon.

The press release from the organisers reads:

Art and surfing have been inextricably linked for hundreds of years, and now a new exhibition looks at how both these elements combined to glide into British consciousness over the past few centuries.

From early sketches of surfers during the voyages of Captain James Cook in the 18th century and iconic hand sculpted wooden surfboards, to the flower power of the 1960s and garish fluorescent colours of the 1980s – paintings, posters, photography and film – ‘an art history of British surfing’ is a visual feast.

“Surfing is part of everyday culture in the UK today, it’s imagery is the marketing person’s dream come true,“ said director of The Surfing Museum, Peter Robinson. “It is something that has always captured the public’s imagination, probably because of its innovation, free flowing form and laid back lifestyle.”

On display will be original British surfboards dating back almost a century featuring art and sculptural form. It will be complemented by an eclectic mix of memorabilia showing amazing artwork from the creative minds of surfers and those drawn to this ancient pastime.

The next stop on the UK tour is Red House Museum in Christchurch - May 3rd to June 14th 2008 www.thesurfingmuseum.co.uk

Happening in Cornwall

I was a little overexcited to discover that this year The Happening is coming to Cornwall. The event will feature a select group of artists and photographers exhibiting work based in contemporary beach and street cultures followed by acoustic music performances by Matt Costa, Will Conner, Andrew Kidman & more.

As well as an unmissable opportunity to view original works of art by such some of the biggest names in the creative surf world such as Wolfgang Bloch, Jenny Bowers, Thomas Campbell, Jeff Canham, Joe Curren, Andy Davis, Harry Daily, Andrew Kidman, Alex Knost and Alex Kopps, to name but a few, the musical line up is great too.

I first saw Matt Costa perform live at a Jack Johnson concert in 2006 and was lucky enough to catch him again at his intimate Shepherds Bush Hall gig. The new album builds on his captivating debut and makes a perfect soundtrack to the exhibition.

Helping to raise money for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as well as a number of other non-profit organisations, The Happening is a collaboration between Brushfire Records, The Surf Gallery and Woodshed Films, the creators of The Moonshine Festival. The first event took place at Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach, Calif. in January 2007, followed by a second show at Milk Gallery in New York City.

This is the first time The Happening has travelled outside of the USA and the stop in Cornwall on 4 July is the third location on a world tour that has already taken in Bondi Beach and will also visit Tokyo, Paris, New York and San Francisco. Timed to take place during the same week as Jack Johnson's Watergate Bay gigs on the 5 an 6 July I wouldn't be surprised if Jack makes an appearance on stage as he did earlier this month in Australia.

Having seen the video that was uploaded to the event website late last week www.thehappeninglive.com and also on YouTube I can't wait to be a part of it when it visits Newquay this summer.