Surfing and Art

A lot of people make a connection between surfing and music, but what about surfing and art?

If you're in Cornwall over the next month, head over to HiltonYoung in Chapel Street, Penzance, where you can see a wonderful exhibition of Porthleven-based artist Paul Wadsworth's latest paintings. Entitled 'Carnival', Paul's most recent work has been inspired by his travels to the Middle East. The canvasses fairly ooze with colour, are brimful of exotica and seem to blend mystery, desire and irreverence.

I was at the private view last night, and thanks to Mike Newman, also there, learnt that Paul is a surfer. I was impressed already by his work, but naturally the fact that he surfs as well meant that he went up yet further in my estimation. It turns out that Paul rides a Hobie nose rider, that his surfing Alma Mater is East Anglia, and that he's regularly in the line-up at Gwithian.

The pictures are of various of Paul's paintings, his studio and of his other life as a surfer at Gwithian. I didn't get a chance to ask the Paul if surfing is an inspiration (even if, as pictured, when simply waiting and thinking between sets), but I like to think the answer is 'yes.' And I do know that his show at HiltonYoung is well worth checking out.

Carnival runs until 14 June. See Paul Wadsworth's website and that of HiltonYoung for more information.

Comments

[Jez]

Nice work. See also www.clubofthewaves.com for more surf art