Comedy and Conservation
Thursday 10 March 2022 A surfboard by Cape Town artist Richard Joshua fetched a near-record R115,000 during a comedy-filled charity auction at the Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival last night.
MOLTEN SEASCAPE: Richard Joshua's board sold for R115,000 last night. Photo Leah Rolando
Comedian Nik Rabinowitz had the crowd in stitches while goading bidders at Jack Black’s Taproom in Cape Town into making ever higher bids for eight surfboards that raised a total of R301,000 for ocean charities.
Joshua's horizontal painting in the style of abstract realism depicts an ice-cream seller on the beach at the Strand near Cape Town. His artwork almost trumped the surfboard painted by Kirsten Sims that sold in 2018 for R130,000.
Joshua, who is well known for the way he uses bright colours and patterns to draw cultural and historical references from his work, said he was very nervous when he saw his painting was the last board in the lineup: "I thought to myself that if my board fetched R12,000, I would be happy. But it was exhilarating to see it go all the way to R115,000.”
Pictured: Skumbuzo Vabaza
ABSTRACT REALISM: Joshua uses daubs of colour to bring life to his work. Photo Leah Rolando
Artists invited for the 2022 Wavescape Artboard Project took the theme rejuvenation to art. Brett Murray emphatically expressed that sentiment in his surfboard Fuck Shell referring to the seismic survey that Shell Oil tried to conduct off the East Coast … but failed.
Murray’s board fetched R46,000, while Norman O’Flynn’s equally powerful piece entitled Unfuck the World – a commentary we can all relate to after the mind bending fuckery of the last two years, capped by that nutter Putin's personal crusade – fetched R36,000. Other artists represented last night were Skumbuzo Vabaza, Christiaan Conradie (pictured, right), Bruno Morphet, Alicia McFadzean and Danielle Clough.
SIX OF THE BEST: A fascinating array of style and technique was on show. Photo Leah Rolando
The Wavescape Artboard Project initiative has raised more than R7 million for ocean causes over the years. This year, all proceeds will be donated to the NSRI, the 9Miles Project, the Beach Co-op and Shark Spotters.
The penultimate event of the festival takes place tonight, Thursday 10 March, in Kommetjie and tomorrow Friday 11 March, a VANS film night of movies takes place at The Shred, which closes the festival. Go to www.Quicket.co.za to book your tickets!
A second screening of “Girls Can’t Surf” has been announced for 15 March at the Labia, tickets are also on sale at Quicket. For more information go to www.wavescapefestival.com
The festival is presented by Vans, with Save Our Seas Foundation, The PET Recycling Company NPC (PETCO), Jack Black Beer, Wesgro, Cefas Gov UK, Wild Oceans and Gone Outdoor
Instagram, Twitter & Facebook @wavescapeSA
2022 LINE UP
Mon 28 Feb: Artboards Exhibition at Jack Black’s Taproom
Tues 1 March: Oceans Alive at the Two Oceans Aquarium
Wed 2 March: The Beach Co-op - Under Sea Cleanup at Jager’s Walk, Fish Hoek
Thurs 3 March: Slide Night at the Centre for the Book
Fri 4 March: African premiere of Girl’s Can't Surf at the Labia Theatre
Sat 5 March: The Board Meeting at Jack Black’s Taproom
Sun 6 March: Save Our Seas Foundation Beach Reach at Dalebrook
Sun 6 March: Galileo open air screening at Kirstenbosch
Mon 7 March: Screening of Our Oceans by WILDOCEANS at the Labia Theatre
Tues 8 March: Wesgro Blue Ocean Master Class at The One Stop Shop
Wed 9 March: Artboard Auction at Jack Black’s Taproom with Nik Rabinowitz
Thurs 10 March: Kommetjie Film Screening
Fri 11 March: VANS film night at The Shred - (closing of festival)