Colors of Coincidence
‘Colors of Coincidence’ is a monograph of Wolfgang Bloch’s art, designed by the venerable David Carson and with text by Mike Stice. Expectations are always going to be high since David Carson and Wolfgang Bloch are two of the most influential creatives around.
Combining a simplistic approach and a sober palette, Wolfgang Bloch is one of the most celebrated surf artists, in part because of his uncanny eye for seeing waves in places most do not. He has incorporated all sorts of materials into his paintings including wood, magazines and newspaper, and even half a surfboard.
Bloch’s art has captivated surfers and non-surfers alike with his austere paintings that are imbued with the intensity of his Latin roots. The paintings are a culmination of his experiences as a surfer and artist combined with an unpretentious and rustic life lived in South America, which kickstarted his life as an artist. Moving away from what typifies surf art, his raw and ethereal paintings can cause you to ask yourself “would I surf that?”
The book contains a selection of Bloch’s photographs, some of his best paintings and his story as an artist brought to life in words by Mike Stice. From a childhood spent in Ecuador to working as a graphic designer for some of the biggest global surf companies, Stice recounts a revealing, interesting and personal journey.
If you aren’t able to collect the real thing but would like to explore Bloch’s life and work, then this book is a worthy investment – it’s so much more than your average surf-art coffee table fodder. Go get one!