2009 South End Open Studios, 9/20/2009 ...

Clay & mixed media-based installation

Studio 305, 551 Tremont Street, Boston

Sunday, 9/20

Surfboards Chinatown

Some of you have read about Joe Chen's "Surfboards Chinatown" project from a few years ago. On a recent trip to NYC, I visited his new shop. It's a classic Chinatown building, formerly a furniture warehouse. An empty area behind the showroom contains a single, unshaped, blank. Joe hopes to produce a lot boards in what will be the second phase of his project. The shop is definitely core and it turns out Joe and I went to college together (also in NYC). He has a solid selection of interesting boards, including twin pins, stubs and biscuits. There were few thrusters, no funboards and no popouts. He gives lessons (even in winter) and has an unusual selection of gray market bodyboards. After you check it out, go to the nearest noodle shop for lunch.

Surfboard at 2007 South End Open Studios

At this year's open studios, I will be showing a set of three surfboards and related drawings and paintings. These boards are my investigation into adapting my visual goals onto functional surfboards. This includes both the painted images and the composition of the core, using recycled materials alongside the latest technology. This is the first output of my drawing and sculpture in the context of my life as a surfer in New England.

See USEA for details on the 2007 Open Studios in Boston's South End.

Tools and surfboards ...

These are very important pliers, in use since I was a child.

When I was a kid, we used to ride these boards down at the Nahant Breakwater, over by Castle Island. Lots of splinters.