For anyone passing through the NSW North Coast on their summer holidays...

The new exhibition at WITZIG GALLERY in Maclean brings together major works from three of the most acclaimed surfing photographers in the world today.

Surfing photography has long been seen as a source of spectacular magazine covers, film posters and book illustrations – but art? Really? In the creative mainstream photography has been recognized as a major art form since the late 19th century.

Witzig Gallery, building on its long association with surf film-making and photography, now seeks to recognise the outstanding work of Peter ‘Joli’ Wilson, Russell Ord and John Witzig; and to position this work where it rightfully belongs in the world of art.

"My brother John has gained acceptance of his photographs documenting the early emergence of the Australian surfing culture with a series of exhibitions at NSW Regional Galleries, at the Dickerson Gallery in Sydney, and a forthcoming exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra in August 2014."

"John’s work stands as a keystone of this new exhibition, and his work is complemented by that of Peter ‘Joli’ Wilson and Russell Ord. Whereas John’s work is generally black and white documentation of a pivotal early era in Australia’s surfing history, the photographic images by Peter and Russell record the surfing world now!"

Each artist has managed to create his own genre.

Peter ‘Joli’ Wilson has captured the awesome magnificence of the greatest Pacific swells in living memory with his unforgettable pictures of the world’s best big wave riders at Cloudbreak in Fiji and Teahupo’o in Tahiti. He feels privileged to have had a front row (boat) seat and witness two of the most incredible swells he’s ever seen – the Code Red August 2011 swell at Teahupo’o, and the Filthy Friday Cloudbreak session in June 2012.

Russell Ord principally shoots from the water and is based in Margaret River in WA. Russell accepts a serious degree of risk; from shark attack or becoming trapped in the heavy impact zone. He puts his life on the line to capture the incredible water shots that have become his trademark.

John Witzig’s images fit into the broad traditions of documentary photography, recording the world around surfing. He was fortunate to be around with a camera in his hand during the beginnings of what became the shortboard revolution, and to be friends with many of the major surfers of the day. John’s book, A Golden Age: Surfing’s Revolutionary 1960s and ’70s, was published by eminent New York art publisher Rizzoli this year.

The Witzig Gallery is enormously proud to be mounting this landmark exhibition, which seeks to elevate the work of these gifted photographers to an important place in the Australian art world, and offers visitors the opportunity to experience something truly special.

 - Paul Witzig

WITZIG GALLERY
80 River Street Maclean NSW 2463 - Phone: 02 6645 2804
E: [email protected]
Web: www.witzig.com.au