Photo: JUNXJO
The value of anything is simply how much somebody’s willing to pay for it. That’s a very straightforward way of explaining and understanding the kind of money people are willing to pay for art. No matter how original or creative, whether a piece has a story behind it, is a part of history, is functional, or was designed by a world-famous artist are as important as what the buyer is willing to give for it.
Exclusivity doesn’t hurt, either.
Only two of these 5’10” round pins were made through a collaboration between 303Surfboards, JUNXJO, and Krink. On top of that, only one was made available to the public. And it just sold for $10,000.
“My personal projects are all based on friendships,” Jun Jo, one of the names behind this project who’s also a creative director for the clothing line Vast told The Inertia. “[I] made with this one with master shaper Kohei Chiba from 303 surfboards Japan and my friendship with Krink; all happening naturally”
A browse through junxjo.com has the board listed as “sold out.” But Jun hasn’t spilled the beans on who the buyer was, only referring to them as a private collector. And every description of the board itself appears as if you could take the thing straight into the lineup if you wanted, going so far as to include Krink-painted fins in the quad/thruster set up. It’s 5’10 x 19 x 2 1/4. No special compounds or materials. Nobody telling you that you have to hang it on the wall or display it in a case. It’s actually an honest-to-goodness very, very exclusive handmade surfboard made with foam and fiberglass.
Photo: JUNXJO
“Kohei Chiba, Japan and Jun Jo, Hawaii collaborated to design this particular model,” the original release reads. “Both surfers flew across the Pacific for a few years to test to the design which can suit small beach break waves to barreling reef breaks. Despite its wider nose design, it will turn very sharp in any situation. With its creative mixed design, this model eliminates the need for multiple boards in the board bag.”
Nobody can argue shapers aren’t, in fact, artists.
