2022 Surf Art Calendar
January
“Mavericks”
By: Ken Pagliaro
STORY BEHIND THE IMAGE
January 10th, 2021 was the biggest swell of the season and all of the best big wave surfers in the world were there to throw themselves over the 50-70ft ledge called Mavericks. Zach Wormhoudt makes surfing a monster wave, that could swallow a helicopter whole, look easy.
PERSONAL CONNECTION
I was surfing with Ken the day before he drove to Mavericks to photograph this swell and I remember him telling me about the anticipation he had and how excited he was to go. Couple of days later I see him again in the water with wide eyes recounting the story of how treacherous the boat ride out to the line-up was, how the boat captain nearly got them caught inside on a big set and the rush of watching these surfers risk their lives for the ultimate thrill.
What I think is exceptional about this image is the perspective you get from the helicopter, the jet ski and the surfer as reference points to how big the wave actually is.
ARTIST BIO
Ken Pagliaro is an internationally-recognized commercial, adventure, travel and surf photographer based in Manhattan Beach, California. Ken’s work has been featured on television, in print ads and on billboards across the United States. His clients include Patagonia, Vans, Coors, Corona, Ebay, Nikon, Target, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and many more.
Ken’s love for surfing and adventure have led him to photograph all over the world including big wave venues like Mavericks, Todos Santos, Nazaré, Hawaii, Alaska, a summit of Mount Rainier, two summits of Mount Whitney and a mock rescue with the United States Coast Guard to name a few.
In 2014, Ken was also featured in a full-length feature film, Mana, along with nine other Southern California artists whose work is influenced by the ocean and surf culture. Ken’s work along with the other artists was exhibited along with screenings of the film at The Museum of Art History in Lancaster California, Villa Di Donato in Naples Italy and the Honolulu Film Festival in Hawaii.
