Surf Art News

Gold Coast champs painted into surf history

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 April, 2008 : - - The cause to bring back the world renowned Kirra surfbreak is gathering momentum with the potential for $50,000 to be donated from the sale of a series of portraits of Gold Coast World Surfing Champions.

The intensity and focus which took local and world surfing icon Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew to dizzying heights at the peak of his career has been depicted in the first of a series of portraits of local legends by award-winning Australian artist Michael Legge-Wilkinson. Legge-Wilkinson has captured the soul of the iconic surfer and is offering the portrait as part of a fundraising effort on behalf of the Kirra Business Group (KBG).

The KBG is working towards re-establishing the famous Kirra point break which has declined over the last 10 years and has already succeeded in raising close to $15,000 at its “Bring Back Kirra Fundraiser” recently.

The event enabled Neil Lazarow of the KBG and Griffith University’s Centre for Coastal Management (GCCM) to finalise funding for the completion of a documentary that investigates options to improve surf quality at Kirra and restore the break to its former glory as a world class surfing destination. An improvement in surf quality will also help re-expose Kirra Reef, most of which has been covered over with sand.

Legge-Wilkinson will donate half of the proceeds of the painting to the KBG, however there is a catch – his preference is for the portrait to remain on the Gold Coast. “We have interest in this portrait from around the world, but Rabbit is a Gold Coast surfing icon and the portrait should stay on the coast, preferably in one of the public collections or the proposed surfing museum or hall of fame,” said Mr Legge-Wilkinson.

“We will continue this series of portraits of Gold Coast World Surfing Champions with Mark Ochillupo, Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore over the next twelve months.

“The power of paint enables me to capture much more than just a photographic likeness and this is the reason the portraits should remain on the coast, to honour our World Champions in a public collection for the benefit of all including future generations who will never have the opportunity to meet them in the flesh.”

In order to secure this series of portraits for a public collection on the Gold Coast, the KGB is looking for a “Medici” who will purchase the portraits on behalf of the community.  The added benefit is that half the proceeds from the sale of the paintings will be donated to the KBG in support of their efforts to help bring back the Kirra Point surfing break.

The KBG is working closely with other community groups including the ‘On A Mission Foundation’ and the Kirra Point Committee (KPC) to assist in the ongoing effort to return Kirra’s famous waves. Spokesman for the KBG John Rankin says the support of the Gold Coast surfing community has been tremendous in helping to bring back the Kirra surfing amenity.

“To have an artist of Michael’s standing in support of our cause to bring back the Kirra surfing amenity is tremendous and we hope that more people will be able to lend a hand in the coming months and years to rejuvenate the world famous precinct,” he said.

“Whoever purchases these portraits will be giving back, not just to the surfing community, but to the community at large and they will be recognised in an appropriate way that is in keeping with their own wishes. “Funds raised by the KBG for the ‘Bring back Kirra’ campaign are contributing to research, awareness and action that will help restore the Kirra Point surfing break to its former glory.”

The portrait of ‘Rabbit’ is an oil painting on canvas and is lifelike in size with dimensions of 125 x 150 centimetres. The painting has a current market value of $25,000 and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Michael Legge-Wilkinson is an award-winning Australian artist represented in private and corporate collections around the world including America, Europe and Japan. 

Recent portraits include iconic Australian authors Tim Winton and John Birmingham. If anyone is interested in more information please contact John Rankin on 0418 591 202.

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Steve Sayers

Surf Art - Surfersvillage