2024 ARTBOARD ARTISTS

Amy-Leigh Braaf

Anton Butler

Brett Murray

Jero Revett

Kabelo Moraloki

MJ Lourens

Motel Seven

One.

Stefan Smit

Sulette van der Merwe

2024 beneficiaries

INTRODUCTION

The Wavescape Art Board Project has been raising ​awareness and funds for ocean-related charities since ​2005. Each year, we invite artists to turn signature ​surfboards into works of art for an exhibition and a special ​auction.

The Cape Town leg of the project has been hosted by ​various contemporary art galleries, cafes and studio spaces ​over the years. In September 2012, the project was ​launched in New York. The 2024 iteration in Cape Town ​takes place at Jack Black’s Tap Room, 10 Brigid Road, Diep ​River.

This year’s beneficiaries of the project are the NSRI, the ​9Miles Project, Shark Spotters and Ocean Pledge.

Past contributing artists have included Asha Zero, Jake ​Aikman, Sanell Aggenbach, Andrew Whitehouse, Willie ​Bester, Conrad Botes, Beezy Bailey, Wim Botha, Guy Tillim, ​Brett Murray, Conn Bertish, Kirsten Sims, Justin Fiske, ​Roger Ballen, Peter Eastman, Richard Scott, Gabby Raaff, ​ND Mazin, Mikhael Subotsky,

Richard Hart, Anton Kannemeyer, Peter van Straten, Kim Longhurst, ​Mak1one, Christiaan Conradie, Norman O’Flynn, Scott Robertson, ​Zapiro, Chip Snaddon, Mr Fuzzy Slipperz, Varenka Paschke, Karabo ​Poppy, Osnat de Villiers and many more.

These and many other artists have kindly donated their time and ​talent to make the Art Board Project a success. Together we have ​donated close to

R8 million to ocean causes.

The project is run by the Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival, which is ​presented by Save Our Seas Foundation, Wesgro, Jack Black Beer ​and PETCO.

For more please visit www.wavescape.co.za @wavescapeSA

AMY-LEIGH BRAAF aka HAKOPIKE

South African artist Amy-Leigh Braaf explores self-discovery, love, and her mixed Cape Malay and Indonesian heritage through art inspired by the nation's biodiversity. International exhibitions and residencies in Japan and Bali (2023) elevated her global presence. Her recent solo exhibition, "Echoes of Ancestral Threads," at Brutal gallery in South Africa marked a pivotal moment, paying homage to her ancestors. Braaf's journey weaves cultural heritage, self-discovery, and timeless connections into an evocative dance of life, resonating as an ode to human existence across generations.

Unforgotten Blooms

Unforgotten Blooms transforms a surfboard into Hakopike's mystical canvas, blending whispers of springbok victory with vibrant South African flora. A woman emerges against a sunset, surrounded by proteas and birds of paradise. Each brushstroke dances between memory and future, capturing fleeting moments from our rich history. The piece documents a collective national victory, a harmonious identity, and a desire to mend nature. Vibrant colors and a sun-kissed mountain symbolize renewal, while subtle baby blue tones evoke inner healing. Hakopike invites viewers to embrace the delicate dance of the temporary and eternal, listening closely to the canvas's whispers and embracing timeless echoes within.

www.hakopike.com

@hakopike

ANTON BUTLER

Anton Butler, a seasoned craftsman with 35 years experience, discovered his passion for shaping surfboards at the age of 17 in 1982. Mentored by iconic South African shapers, he founded Ferral surfboards 13 years ago, driven by a desire for creative autonomy.

While briefly studying graphic design, Anton has become one of South Africa’s most famous and skilled surfboard shapers, with a deep passion for creative expression.

Over the years, his artistic skill has merged with surfboard shaping, and he gravitated towards the art of resin tinting. This technique, blending colors directly into the resin during lamination, became his signature. Over the years, he mastered the process, achieving a delicate balance between spontaneity and control.

Specializing in a random yet controlled approach, Anton's surfboards showcase a captivating marbling effect, solidifying his status as a visionary in the craft.

www.ferral.co.za

@ferral_surfboards

BRETT MURRAY

Brett Murray is one of South Africa’s most renowned artists, and has been called “The dark prince of South African pop (art)”. Working with steel, bronze and an assortment of media, Murray aims to critically entertain. This often includes pop-culture iconography that he skillfully manipulates through satire and subversion. He is remembered by Wavescape Artboard Project fans for his infamous surfboard featuring a naked Bart Simpson with an erection, and the words “I Love Africa!”. Murray’s work has been exhibited extensively in South Africa and abroad, and he was the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for 2002. He is a full time artist and lives in Cape Town with his wife Sanell Aggenbach and their two sons.

The Kleptocrats

In the Kakistocracy (a real word that seems to have been especially coined for South Africa) our dreams of a better future for all are being shat on with each passing day. With the new elite’s obvious indifference to the plight of its people comes the understanding that the current leadership is utterly incapable of governing this potential filled country. Thieving seems to be the guiding principle where the venal war cry “It’s our turn to eat!” echoes across this beautiful land.

www.brettmurray.co.za

@brettmurrayza

JERO REVETT

Jero Revett, found joy in exploring rock pools around False Bay, diving all day as a kid. While fear initially drew him to octopuses, he soon mastered handling them, turning it into play. Today, his fascination endures. He still disappears for hours, reliving his childhood diving, fishing and surfing. Despite criticism for eating octopus, Jero takes pleasure and care in the skillful hunt, honed over years, and only takes what he needs. During a dive, God’s Whisper, “what else can you do with the ink,” led him to consider uses for octopus ink beyond culinary applications. Collaborating with Professor Inggs from Michaelis School of Fine Arts, Jero introduced the concept of creating prints using octopus ink. They experimented with screen prints but fell in love with Gyotaku, an ancient Japanese technique fisherman used to record their catch by making ink prints on paper.

Today, Jero crafts Gyotaku artworks from the fish he catches, using ink from octopus, Chokka, or cuttlefish. His work pays homage to the octopus, symbolizing satisfaction derived from the hunt, culinary exploration, and creative expression.

A Whisper in the Deep

Top deck: Original Gyotaku artwork on cloth of the top view of an ​octopus printed in its own ink.

Bottom Deck: Same octopus but viewed from below using octopus ink ​and blood from the liver to create black and tan tones.

www.wildwanderer.co.za @wildwandereradventure

KABELO MORALOKI

Kabelo Moraloki, a visual artist born in 1988 in Mamelodi, Pretoria, now based in Cape Town, specializes in portraiture and abstract art using acrylics on canvas and recycled brown paper. His vibrant work explores socioeconomics, healing, happiness, and harmony, aiming to spark critical conversations and challenge perceptions. Kabelo has exhibited at Fame Week Africa 2023 and The Mother City group exhibition under the City of Cape Town's Emerging Artists Programme.

Nkululeko

Nkululeko portrays a young black boy with a radiant smile reflecting dreams of liberation. His resilient skin tone and subtle facial lines convey a story of struggle and determination. The title, meaning freedom, embodies generations longing for liberation, a hope echoed in the boy's smile. The painting captures the imminent reality of freedom, resonating with jubilation and palpable anticipation, transcending visual representation to celebrate the indomitable spirit of a people yearning for liberation.

@kabelomoraloki_art

MJ LOURENS

MJ Lourens was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1973. He studied Fine Art Sculpture at the University of Pretoria from 1992 to 1996. His body of work includes paintings, sculptures and film, having exhibited in several prominent galleries around South Africa.

MJ has also directed and produced films such as DIE RIT/THE DRIVE (2009), PROGNOSE/PROGNOSIS (2008) and PA/FATHER (2006), which was screened at the Commonwealth Film Festival and was in the official selection of the African International Film Festival, Tariva, Spain. MJ's films can be viewed at www.prefab.co.za. MJ lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa.

Infinity

The infinity of where the ocean meets the sky is as endless as the ​variations of waves. MJ has primarily worked with fixed horizons in mind ​and considering the fluid shape of the board and in which environment ​it gets used was a great inspiration. Driven by a kind of stillness.

The vessel becomes a mirror to a place one is drawn towards and ​experienced in solitude. A reflection of an everlasting nostalgia.

www.mjlourens.com

@mj.lourens

MOTELSEVEN

MOTELSEVEN (b. 1987) is an artist born in Cape Town. She began her ​artistic journey by delving into graffiti at the age of 16, achieving her first ​solo exhibition at 21. Following several successful gallery exhibitions, she ​developed a passion for travel and exhibited extensively in Europe and ​America while also painting on the streets.

Currently, MOTELSEVEN is actively participating in various festivals. She ​recently completed a mural on the Sea Point promenade with the ​Pangeaseed Foundation global project Sea Walls, and is set to contribute ​to mural projects in Belgium with the Crystal Ship project. Her artistic ​journey continues as she prepares to participate in mural festivals in the ​United States.

Star of hope

In a world filled with more and more dissolution and despair, this piece ​is about finding hope and light in the darkest of times. To look up at the ​stars is a universal understanding, and they can always guide the way; ​whether at sea, on land, or in your dreams.

www.motelseven.com

@motelseven7

ONE.

While qualified as an architect, One. never ventured into the practice of architecture. One. chose a different path for himself. Shapes and structures are deeply embedded in his DNA. He sees life as a complex, layered structure we have to navigate through and make sense of ... at least we can try. Employing the same spray paint and markers synonymous with graffiti and tagging, One. seamlessly integrates urban culture and street life as strata within his paintings. Patterns converge, and colors interplay, resulting in what he regards as Architectural Abstract.

Unpredictables

Using his architectural abstract style, One. uses simple geometric forms ​and playful colours to convey his contemplation on the unpredictable ​challenges our oceans face.

The 'transparent layer' (gray and white patterns) symbolizes society's ​tendency to overlook and ignore the predicament of our seas and ​natural ecosystems, while the bold yellow and pink blocks serve as a ​stark reminder of the relentless challenges surrounding our marine ​environments.

www.brutalcuration.com

@onekcollection

STEFAN SMIT

Stefan Smit is a South African fine artist known for his contemporary ​figurative oil paintings and mural work - creating fine art on a ​tremendous scale. Since being invited to exhibit at the ABSA L'atelier ​the demand for Smit's work has increased, allowing him to exhibit ​globally at shows like the LA Art Fair.

Smit currently lives in Cape Town, South Africa and is well represented ​in the United States. His work features in galleries, art fairs, brand ​collaborations, public spaces and various private collections around the ​globe. Throughout his career, he’s been drawn to the overarching ​theme of connection, inviting people to question what divides or unites ​us.

Her body of water

I’m always looking at interesting forms of connection and as people we ​tend to connect most with people. So I set about to anthropomorphise ​the ocean and in so doing create what would be a very important ​connection for us all to make.

I’ve used 3 very important colours in my composition, green to ​represent the ocean and land. Orange for our sun and black for the ​depths of our sea, which we’ve explored so little of.

linktr.ee/stefansmit

@these10fingers

SULETTE VAN DER MERWE

Sulette van der Merwe is a South African artist working in painting, print and video animation. Her paintings are an exploration of intuitive connections between representational images.

The influence of pop art, surrealism and digital culture is evident in her work. She has a National Diploma in Fine Art from the Tshwane University of Technology .

Float

To "float" is to rest or move on or near the surface of liquid without ​sinking. The subject, in a state of relaxation, floats gently in water. ​Sulette explores the buoyancy of ideas as they transition between the ​physicality of the body and the symbolism inherent in representational ​image-making. The intention is to portray taboo subjects with a sense of ​reverence, aiming to activate philosophical contemplation.

www.sulettevandermerwe.co.za

@sulettevandermerwe

Thank you:

Past, present and future contributing artists. Without your dedication and passion, the Wavescape Artboard Project

would not have continued so successfully over the last 20 years.

Anton, Life and Mathies from Ferral Surf.

Meghan, Ross, Tristan and the rest of the Jack Black team.

Our auctioneer for 2024, Nik Rabinowitz.

The surfing community of Cape Town.

A huge thanks goes out to our buyers, many of whom have been coming to our auction for more than a decade, and who have a huge ‘quiver’ of art boards!

ArtBoard Project 2024 curated by Shani Judes.

Photographs of boards by Kye Noir.

Thank you to SHOOT. Photographic Studio.

The Festival Team

Steve Pike (Spike) Wavescape co-founder, Shani Judes Wavescape Festival Director, Stephen Shooter,

Amanda IndieGo Botha and Gwen Sparks - Sparks PR

Our Festival Partners 2024

Save Our Seas Foundation, Wesgro, Jack Black’s Beer & PETCO

If you would like to bid via telephone/ proxy please contact

Shani Judes

shani@shanijudes.co.za

+27 (0)83 509-5106

www.wavescape.co.za @wavescapesa