Brown Cannon III: Surface

The surfboard is symbolic of the human relationship to environment. In its form lies the power to transport us to a feeling, a moment, a smell, an instant that we share with the ocean.

– Brown Cannon III

Surface is an evolving collection of ocean imagery. The ocean and travel have long been passions for Brown and are the central focus of this exhibition. The body of work includes archival silver gelatin black and white photographs as well as 15 surfboards.  A surfer himself, Brown introduces a new concept in fine art photography with this exhibition by using surfboards to display his images. The pieces are ultimately collaboration between photographer and surfboard shaper – from the selection of classic surfboard designs appropriate to each image, to the design of a custom wood stringer and fin for each board. The exhibition includes underwater, landscape, and marine life images from Hawaii, California, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Fiji, and the Galapagos Islands.

This exhibition is driven by a desire to share experiences and images of the ocean that can inspire people to protect these environments and ocean life. Brown has designed Surface as a surf art and photography show in support of local ocean organizations, including, Surfrider Foundation, Surfing Heritage Foundation, Casa Romantica, The Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary, The Marine Mammal Center, and the Baum Foundation.

A graduate of Art Center College of Design, Brown works and lives in Mill Valley, California.  He regularly surfs the coasts of Northern California, Oahu, Hawaii, and Mexic. Brown draws upon nearly a decade of travel photography for editorial publications.  His work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Audubon Gourmet, Sunset, Outside, and National Geographic Adventure. His photography earned the Lowell Thomas award for best editorial travel feature in 2006 and 2007.  Surface was awarded Best of 08 in San Francisco Magazine. Brown had his first solo exhibition in 2004 at Focus Gallery in San Francisco.