LOS ANGELES, CA.- DEPART Foundation will present Sea Sick in Paradise, a group exhibition curated by Amy Yao, featuring works in a variety of media by 46 established and emerging artists, many of whom are surfers themselves or inspired by surfing, the ocean, and coastal culture.
Alongside these artists are also works presented by professional surfers, inspired by their sport – whether documenting their subculture or creating abstract and symbolic imagery. In keeping with the theme of summer surf, the large-scale exhibition will occupy a new, 4,000 square foot pop-up venue in Malibu Village.
Organized in collaboration with the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies at UCLA (LENS) and the Surfrider Foundation, Sea Sick in Paradise explores the longstanding relationship between surfing and art making, particularly highlighting work made in Southern California. With an emphasis on diversity and environmental concern, the exhibition traces evolving surf culture in the 21st Century through a variety of vantage points. The multiplicity of work, artists, and surfers in the exhibition strives to demonstrate the divergence of experience, concerns, identity, culture, and generation, attesting to the draw of the ocean.
Participating artists include Chris Ballreich, Jennifer Bartlett, Billy Al Bengston, Cristine Blanco, Jamie Brisick, Brown Girl Surf, Alexandra Cassaniti, Samantha Jane Clark, David Donahue/Robin Kegel, Danica Elbertse, Roe Ethridge, Peter Fend, Eve Fowler/ Mariah Garnett, Danny Fuller, Zoe Ghertner, Nolan Hall, Jeff Ho, Hoffman Fabrics, Stanya Kahn, Margaret Kilgallen, Alex Knost, Rob Kulisek, Margaret Lee, Matthew Lutz Kinoy, Barry McGee, Sarah McMenimen, Daniella Fernandez Murphy, Zak Noyle, Tin Ojeda, Riley O’Neil, Kevin O’Sullivan, Peter Schroff, Pacific Specific, Jean Painleve, Prerna Sampat with Melissa Ip and Ramdasha Biceem, Mika Tajima, George Trimm/Colin Whitbread, Jennifer West, and Phillip Zach.
The exhibition continues DEPART Foundation’s commitment to providing an open platform through art for dialogue and discussion about cultural, political and socio-economic issues and causes, including, among others, those relating to sustainability and the environment.
