The 19th annual Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival is currently underway in the Mother City. Between 1 and 11 March, a string of ocean-inspired events have and will pop up at different locations, all for the love and protection of the big blue! This year’s theme is rejuvenation and conservation.
Wavescape, presented by Vans, is not only about nurturing nature, but about creating a sense of community among ocean-loving people. And tonight, sea lovers gathered at Jack Black Taproom in Diep River for the Art Board Project.
This leg of the festival invited artists to turn signature surfboards into works of art for an exhibition and a special auction — lead by South African comedian, actor and author Nik Rabinowitz. The Project has been charging since 2005 and has been hosted by various contemporary art galleries, cafes and studio spaces over the years. In September 2012, the Project was launched in New York, nogal!
Dozens of contributors have spared their time and talent to make the Art Board Project a success. The initiative has raised more than R7 million for ocean causes over the years. Tonight, one of the boards on auction was sold for a whopping R46 000. All proceeds will be donated to this years beneficiaries: the NSRI, the 9Miles Project, the Beach Co-op and Shark Spotters. Now, that’s lekker!
Only a truly special creation could bring in such a sum, and we’re not surprised that Brett Murray’s board with a cause was the one to do it. Remember when Shell tried to blast the South Africa’s Wild Coast? Locals responded with heat and Shell’s Amazon Warrior had to sail away in shame.
Well, here you have it — the R46 000 board, because #ToHellWithShell! Or as Murray says…
Brett Murray is one of South Africa’s most renowned artists. Working with steel, bronze and an assortment of media, Murray aims to critically entertain. This often includes pop-culture iconography that he skilfully manipulates through satire and subversion. He is remembered by Wavescape Art Board Project fans for his infamous surfboard featuring a naked Bart Simpson with an erection, and the words “I Love Africa!”. Murray’s work has been exhibited extensively in South Africa and abroad, and he was the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for 2002. He is a full time artist and lives in Cape Town with his wife Sanell Aggenbach and their two sons.
Check out the other epic creations in this years’ catalogue:
There are two Wavescape events left on the 2022 calendar. Don’t miss them:
- 10 March: Kommetjie Film Screening
- 11 March (closing): Film screening at The Shred
Also read:
Picture: Art Board by Brett Murray
