Surfing Culture and Public Art

Surfing culture is embedded in some of Southern California's and Hawai'i's most popular public art. Infused with history and fable, sport and fantasy, surfing themes in public art also parallel a respect for the coastal environment.  These sculptures, statues and murals pay tribute to both surfer and sea. 

As surfing became an established sport, ideal surfing locales in both Hawai'i and Southern California attracted surfing athletes and fans. This Memorial in Hermosa Beach, California pays tribute to surfing legend Dewey Weber.

Robert Pashby's 12-foot cast bronze sculpture "Surfer on a Wave" conveys strong dynamic movement.  Verdigris patina enhances the impression of frothy waves below the surfboard. 

This cast bronze sculpture by Holly Young was inspired by the Fred Van Dyke story "Makua Lives on the Beach" about the adventures of a young boy and the Hawaiian monk seal who becomes his special surfing buddy.  The artist's integration of native rock and foliage enhances the dynamic impression of wave and water.  

What began as local criticism over the image of a novice surfer at the entrance to a beloved surfing locale, later evolved into a community beacon for countless humorous pranks. Intended as a recognition of beginning surfers, the sculpture was locally dubbed "The Cardiff Kook." After a few early pranks took advantage of the piece's outstretched arms to hang public-oriented jokes and messages, the competition was on.  The boy surfer has been costumed as a pumpkin, clown, Santa Claus, and Uncle Sam, it has been dressed as and surrounded by mock turkeys for a local 10k "Turkey Trot" race [see next frame], and has been "attacked" by a dinosaur and huge shark.

Michael King and Wade Koniakowsky created their 8-foot ceramic tile mural "Tim" in 2013 as a tribute to a young surfer who lost his life.  The image's vertical perspective emphasizes surfer and wave as one integrated and dynamic subject. 

Randy Morgan's high-relief sculpture, "The Waterman's Wall," spans 40 feet and pays tribute to surfing athletes and to their ever-vigilant lifeguards.  The 2-panel, wall-mounted artwork in downtown Laguna Beach, California is part of the city's extensive public art collection.

From tributes to local surfers to a respect for ocean and shore, Hawaiian and Californian communities have discovered how well public art can show the world their surfing love, lore, and legends.