You never know how being near or in the ocean will inspire someone.
For one group of artists — with no other connection besides a shared love of surfing and the sea — being near the beach prompted a diverse set of new artworks that will be shown in an exhibition at the Tim Bessell surfboard shop and gallery in La Jolla. An opening date has not yet been scheduled, but it is expected to be in the first week of June.
The show will bring together a painter, sculptor, photographer and mixed-media artists who created works that reflect life in and around the ocean.
“It’s a celebration of a craft and a community that La Jolla knows intimately,” said participating artist Joel Pessoa, who designs trophies for surfing competitions around the world.
For this exhibition, Pessoa will display wood carvings he completed in Portugal and some paintings he did while he was living in La Jolla several months ago.
A surfboard-inspired wood carving by Joel Pessoa will be featured in an upcoming showcase at the Tim Bessell surfboard shop and gallery in La Jolla. (Joel Pessoa)
“Surfing and art have been my passion since I was a kid,” he said. “That’s why it is very important to me to be in this exhibition and especially with a big name in surfing and art like Tim Bessell … and the other great artists that will be displaying great work.”
Bessell, an internationally known surfboard maker, also is an artist and will display some of his works in the show.
Other participating artists include Bessell’s wife, Robin, Windansea Surf Club member and author Shaun Donovan, surf photographer Steve Sherman and a few others to be determined.
Paintings by Bessell’s daughter Natalie also are expected to be shown in an informal capacity.
“We traditionally have had group shows over the years and it’s something we like to do periodically,” Bessell told the La Jolla Light. “I like to introduce people to great local artists, and we wanted to do a surf-inspired show … that exposes viewers to the art that is being made today.”
In 2014, Bessell obtained a license from the Andy Warhol Foundation to produce luxury surfboards with Warhol-inspired designs. In the past decade, those works have been shown in galleries across the country. Rideable boards featuring portraits and other Warhol-inspired imagery can be found in Bessell’s shop.
Robin Bessell works in mixed media, often using flowers in her creations. She grows flowers in the couple’s La Jolla garden and uses them to make art.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of nice art pieces in [the exhibition] in such a cool spot in La Jolla, with very interesting and creative people,” Pessoa said. “Tim’s shop/gallery is a unique place and is always special to be able to meet the artists. A group exhibition is the perfect place for that.”
The Bessell surf shop and gallery is at 515 Westbourne St. Find out more at timbessell.com. ♦