Sandow Birk

"Spring (Huntington Beach, CA)"
Sandow Birk, 2008
Ink on Paper, 11" x 17"

Sandow Birk is one of the biggest surf artists of all time. His paintings and drawings are amazing and super influential. The sickest thing of all is that he contacts me and said that he was interest on the show. To me, this was the biggest complement ever… He was super kind to send an original draw above and answer the questions below in Portuguese and I translate to English… Hope it’s all correct… He have a brazilian heart and will be a incredible honor to have him part of the art show that I curate. Thank you Sandow!


What’s you name and where are you from?
Eu sou Sandow Birk de Los Angeles, Califórnia.
I’m Sandow Birk from Los Angeles, California.

When did you find out that you would be an artist?
Quando cheguei à faculdade em Los Angeles eu aprendi que ser artista plástica é uma ocupação intelectual, que pintar é mais pensar de que fazer. Também vi que ha pessoas que só fazem arte para ganhar a vida. Resolvi que queria viver assim.
When I got to college, I learn that be an artist it’s an intellectual occupation and the act of painting is more about thinking, other than do it. I also saw that it was people that do art for living. So, I found out that I want to live like that.

What do you want to show to people when you do your art?
Depende no projeto. Cada projeto tem diferentes motivos e idéias para comunicar.
Depends of the project. Each project has different reasons and ideas to communicate.

What’s surf for you?
Não penso em termos de que o surfe "é" o "não é". Eu surfo. Sempre surfei. Não lembro o que é a vida sem surfar.
I don’t think in terms of what surf “is” or “not is”. I just surf. Always surfed. Can’t remember life without surfing.

Can you tell us some highlights in your career?
Ganhei uma bolsa Fulbright para morar e pintar no Rio de Janeiro para um ano, tudo pago pelo governo. Tive varias exposições em museus com vários projetos. Um projeto que ainda esta viajando pelos museus é de 15 enormes gravuras sobre a guerra no Iraque.
I won a Fullbright Schollarship to live and paint in Rio de Janeiro for one year, all paid by the government. Also had a lot exhibition in museums with a lot of projects. One project that still travels around museums is 15 huge prints about the war in Iraq.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
O Rio, a vida urbana com onda e uma cidade grande e super interessante.
Rio de Janeiro, the urban life with waves and one big town full of interesting stuff.

How do you feel to be part of an art show over here in Santos city?
Acho uma peno que não posso estar lá. Gostaria conhecer a cidade.
To bad I can’t be there. Would love to visit the city.

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
O Brasil é um pais grande e interessante. Olhem para a sua própria terra para ter inspiração.
Brasil is a big and interesting country. Look at your own land to get inspired.

http://www.sandowbirk.com/