Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
The surf and beach communities around New Zealand are a diverse collection of people who draw energy (and expend it) on the edge or surface of the ocean. The sea that surrounds our little country feeds them and they thrive from it. Documenting it all are a plethora of photographers and artists who try to capture this lifestyle and our connection with the sea.
Our friends at Corona NZ have been a catalyst here promoting surf art and photography and that connection to the lifestyle for years now, but they've stepped it up a notch this summer. They've transformed the Piha Surf Life Saving Club (PSLSC) into a pop-up gallery housing ten images by ten globally recognised surf, travel and lifestyle photographers including some of my favourites: Chris Burkard, Morgan Maassen, Chris Searl, Skip James, Rambo Estrada, Jerry Aubertin and CPL.
The exhibition, called "NZ Perspectives" opened this past weekend and will run for six weeks culminating in an online auction for each of the artworks. All proceeds will go towards the redevelopment of the surf club.
“Our surf club is well-known for helping save the lives of those that get into difficulty at Piha," offered the President of Piha Surf Life Saving Club, Peter Brown. "Working in partnership with Corona, we’re aiming to raise vital funds for the redevelopment of our club, helping build a better future for both our local community and vistors to the beach."
There would be very few visiting surfers who haven't had a brush with Lion Rock or the Keyhole at some stage – it's a pretty wild stretch of coastline and a tough ask for the PSLSC team to manage.
Drop by the exhibition from 4:30pm on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and you'll be able to contemplate the art and life with the sun setting over the sea from the comfort of the temporary Corona deck. That's a place I'd like to be right now.
Lots of waves this past week and more on the way. A big congrats to Billy Stairmand for winning his fourth New Zealand Surfing title at the weekend, too. Would love to see this lad join Ricardo on the World Surfing League.
Okay, it's summer – go surfing, watch sunsets and savour every moment of it all.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS We've been testing the all-new Canon EOS 7D MkII over the past few months and have just published our review. If you're into sports photography or filming then you need to check this bit of kit out.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: