If you’ve ever opened a surf magazine, which is likely if you’re interested in this site, you’ve probably gazed upon one of Art Brewer’s images. Largely self-taught, Brewer grew up in California shooting at Laguna Beach as a teen and freelancing for SURFER Magazine, where he earned the position of staff photographer. From there, he began his ascension to his place as one of the most prominent photographers in surfing and assumed a pivotal role in the changing culture of the sport.
If you happen to be in New York in June, School of Visual Arts (SVA) is presenting “Art Brewer: Surf Evolution”, on June 8 – 30, 2012. It’s an exhibition including over 150 images from Brewer’s legendary archive. Ranging from the 1960’s to the present, it features portraits of surfing heroes like Corky Carroll, Tom Curren, Wayne Lynch, Occy, Kelly Slater, and many more. Included also are landscapes, waterscapes, and those classic Brewer action shots from around the globe.
Brewer’s photos have been included in New York’s Earl McGrath Gallery, the Annenberg Space for Photography, the San Jose Museum of Art, the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Laguna Art Museum in California, the Melbourne Beach Contemporary Museum of Art in Melbourne Beach, Florida and the Museum of Contemporary Art in São Paulo, Brazil. His images have appeared in hundreds of magazines including GQ, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, Esquire and Playboy. Over the course of his career, Brewer has done over 35 covers for SURFER Magazine.
The SVA Gallery, located at 209 East 23 Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, is open 9am to 7pm, Monday through Friday, and 10am to 6pm on Saturday. Admission is free and the gallery is accessible by wheelchair. For any further information, call 212.592.2145.
For more on Art Brewer, click here.
