Charlie Clingman surf show at the SLO Art Center - reception this Friday, March 6 spread the word

by Muara Johnston
(San Luis Obispo)

THE ART CENTER PRESENTS
CHARLIE CLINGMAN: FOREVER STOKED

(San Luis Obispo Art Center) The exhibition Charlie Clingman: Forever Stoked will be on view at the San Luis Obispo Art Center in the First Gallery from March 4 through March 30, 2009. A public reception for Mr. Clingman and the companion exhibition, Arthur Tress: Central Coast Skateboard Park Series, will take place on Friday, March 6, coinciding with Art After Dark from 6—9 pm.

The dynamic and colorful show will include acrylic paintings and painted surfboards by this Los Osos artist and surfer. The exhibition was organized by Gordon L. Fuglie, curator of exhibitions and collections at the San Luis Obispo Art Center.

The name for the exhibition is taken from the surfer artist collective that Mr. Clingman started in 1999 with lifelong friend Chris Pedersen. The group now includes seven artists and features a wide variety of art products with surfing themes including original paintings, “museum quality” limited edition prints, graphic stickers and t-shirts.

Curator Gordon Fuglie notes that, “since the 1960s surf culture has developed its own style and iconography, eventually penetrating mainstream popular culture.” Mr. Clingman has traveled and surfed worldwide, and he makes paintings on canvas of enchanted coastlines, or embellished surfboards with stylized calligraphy evoking the rhythms of undulating oceanic vegetation or tribal motifs.

The San Luis Obispo Art Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and exhibiting the visual arts. The Art Center is located at 1010 Broad Street, on the west end of the Mission Plaza. Hours are 11am to 5pm daily, closed Tuesdays. High res images available.
###