Arcadia: An exclusive art focus on ‘70s surfing

THE SIGHTS, sounds and spirit of surfing in the ’70s features in an exclusive exhibition at Geelong Gallery.
The gallery has unveiled Arcadia – Sound of the Sea after securing exclusive Victorian rights from the National Portrait Gallery of Australia.
The exhibition features three of the country’s leading surf artists whose works include scenes from Bells Beach and Torquay.
The gallery said John Witzig, who co-founded iconic Australian surfing magazine Tracks, contributed a range of photographs to the exhibition, while the ink drawings of Nicholas Harding and Albert Falzon’s “psychedelic” film footage were also among the 40 exhibits.
“Imbued with a Romantic conception of the awesome and spiritually restorative force of the sea, it expresses the free-spirited, revolutionary character of a group of young and perfectly-formed Australian surfers in the early 1970s,” the gallery said.
“Witzig’s photographs have been newly printed to a large-scale size and feature young men in the ocean, on the beach, coastal landscapes, or in derelict colonial or makeshift dwellings in which they camped.
“Witzig often found himself in precarious positions when trying to photograph the speed and glory of surfers riding waves. Immersed in the water and amid the action, with a keen eye and nerves of steel Witzig captured the surfers’ athleticism and lyrical grace.
“A selection of photographs on display in this special exhibition also document local surf culture at iconic Bells Beach and Torquay.”
The gallery said patrons would see segments from Falzon’s seminal surf movie Morning of the Earth (1972), “which channel dreams of a free-spirited lifestyle”.
“Falzon’s use of long lenses and sublime surfing sequences in unspoiled lands created a visual manifesto that promoted counter-culture ideals such as living simply and sustainability.”
The gallery said Harding’s drawings of unruly coastal scenery and surfers’ salty tangled hair was a “natural fit with the texture and vigorous yet gentle, sensibility of Witzig’s photographs”.
“Whilst presenting a fresh, contemporary perspective, these intricate drawings complement the earlier visions of Witzig and Falzon and embody the surfing ethos.”
The gallery said Arcadia intended to “evoke a sensual response”.
“For some visitors to the gallery it will also provide a trip down memory lane.”
The exhibition closes 22 February.