On the surface, ‘surf art‘ is a relatively easy term to explain. It’s art inspired by surfing or surf culture. Yet, even the artists commonly referred to as ‘surf artists’ differ in their definition of surf art. This is a tricky one for us, from a curation point-of-view.

Surfboard art by Drew Brophy
Surfboard art by Drew Brophy

What constitutes surf art?

  • A painting or illustration of a surfer riding a wave? Sure.
  • An empty wave? I mean, ‘surf’ refers to waves too, and the ocean is a surfers playground, so sure.
  • Beach art? Getting a little hazier now, but surf culture goes beyond riding waves and paddling in the ocean. For some people, the search for waves and the culture surrounding the sport and lifestyle are a huge part of what they love about surfing. This extends to the vibe and scene on the beach, the surf clubs, the car park, the idyllic surf shack in a tropical paradise, etc.
  • Fantasy dreamscape art? Do surfers dream about perfect, empty waves with a beautiful tropical island backdrop? Sure they do.
  • A sculpture of a wave? Sure. Art isn’t just paintings, illustrations, and mixed media.
  • Does the artist have to be a surfer themselves? In our opinion, no. No doubt it helps to have that personal connection to the subject, but surfing and surf culture are highly visible and accessible to a great number of people, all over the world. It’s not hard to understand — surfer or not — why an artist would be inspired by it.

What about when an artist paints a non-surfing related subject on a surfboard? That’s a tricky one. I mean, if they painted what you’d typically classify as surf art on a surfboard, then sure, it’s surf art. But, what if they paint an abstract pattern or something nobody would consider to be surf art (e.g. a cityscape, Disney art, or a mermaid) — with a surfboard as their canvas? Oh. We’ve found a gray area…

Surfboard art by Colleen Gnos
Surfboard art by Californian artist, Colleen Gnos
Painted surfboards by Eduardo Bolioli
Surfboard art by Uruguayan (Hawaii based) artist, Eduardo Bolioli

Surf art  Surfboard art

Full disclosure, we typically don’t showcase surfboard art on this website. We only showcase a small percentage of ‘surf artists‘ in the world. Just think how many more people there are painting surfboards! We have to set boundaries or the content and focus spirals out of control. That just makes sense. But we do love surfboard art. It makes for a wonderful canvas and a beautiful finished article.

Below is a curation of some of our favourite examples of surfboard art. For sake of argument, we’ve broken down the barriers and included everything from obvious surf art, to art on surfboards.

Surfboard art by Tom Veiga
Surfboard art by Brazilian artist, Tom Veiga
2017 Pipe Masters surfboard, trophy, and art by Phil Roberts
2017 Pipe Masters surfboard and trophy, and art by Phil Roberts

Artist, Phil Roberts has been creating the trophy art for the prestigious Pipe Masters surfing event on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii for years. All three pieces of art pictured above are by Phil Roberts! The event runner-up receives a beautiful framed painting (held by John John Florence). The winner’s trophy is a sculpture of Gerry Lopez surfing Pipeline (held by Jeremy Flores). And the winner also receives a beautiful, painted surfboard shaped by Gerry Lopez. Aside from the trophy (sculpture), which remains the same each year, Phil Roberts is commissioned to create a different painting and surfboard every year. Below are just a few of many:

Pipe Masters painted surfboard trophies by Phil Roberts
Pipe Masters painted surfboard trophies by Phil Roberts
Gerry Lopez with a surfboard he shaped featuring art by Phil Roberts
Gerry Lopez with the 2018 Pipe Masters surfboard he shaped featuring art by Phil Roberts
Disney Orgy surfboard art by Boom Art
Disney Orgy (original comic art by Wally Wood in 1967) by Boom Art
Sector Nine surfboard by Erik Abel
Surfboard art by Jess Lambert
Surfboard art by Australian artist, Jess Lambert
Surfboard art by Wade Koniakowsky
Surfboard art by Californian artist, by Wade Koniakowsky
Surfboard art Californian artist, by Shawn Griggs
Surfboard art by Californian artist, by Shawn Griggs
Surfboard art by Sam Malpass
Surfboard art by Sam Malpass
Surfboard art by Zachary Bennett-Brook
Surfboard art by Australian artist, Zachary Bennett-Brook
Surfboard art by Fieldey
Surfboard art by Australian artist, Fieldey (aka Haylee Fieldes)
Surfboard art by Drew Brophy
Surfboard art by Californian artist, Drew Brophy
Painted surfboard by Damian Fulton
Painted surfboard by Californian artist, Damian Fulton
Surfboard art by Jess Lambert
Australian artist, Jess Lambert

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