An exhilarating homage to the surf and van culture of the California coast, from the author of Les Danseurs
The second monograph by New York– and Paris-based photographer Matthew Brookes, Into the Wild is a vibrant celebration of surf life. For this project, Brookes followed a group of young surfers from Venice Beach on their adventures up and down the coast. The result is a story of van culture along the California coast—a story of youth choosing to follow their dreams, living out of vans, existing for surf and travel and freedom, and always chasing the best waves. The documentary-style photographs are typical of Brookes’ work, with ethereal shots punctuating more naturalistic photos. The book includes interviews with the surfers done by Zack Raffin from the major surf magazine Stab Magazine. Raffin is a young surfer himself and grew up surrounded by van culture, positioning him as an insider voice as much as a journalist. Matthew Brookes is a photographer known for his editorial projects and his natural and simplistic style. Born in England and raised in South Africa, Brookes’ photographs have been featured in major magazines such as GQ Style, Vogue and L'Uomo Vogue. In addition to his work with models and celebrities, Brookes is fascinated by the dynamism of the human form in motion and enjoys photographing athletes and dancers. In 2015 Brookes published his first monograph with Damiani, Les Danseurs, a portrait of the ballet dancers of the Paris Opera.
Featured image is reproduced from 'Matthew Brookes: Into the Wild'.
PRAISE AND REVIEWS
i-D
Sarah Moroz
Exploring the visceral energy and low-key camaraderie of the scene, Brookes prizes glimpses of calm solitude over relentless adrenaline rush.
Widewalls
Elena Martinique
Matthew tells a poignant story of youth choosing to follow their dreams, living out of vans, existing for surf and travel and freedom, and always chasing the best waves.
in stock $49.00
Free Shipping
UPS GROUND IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. FOR CONSUMER ONLINE ORDERS
Tuesday, July 12–Monday, July 18, 2022, please join Artbook | D.A.P. in the Aesthetic Movement Showroom at the Atlanta Gift Market to view a curated selection of new books on art and culture for Fall 2022! continue to blog
Thursday, June 2 at 6 PM, Rizzoli Bookstore presents the launch of Matthew Brookes: Into the Wild, published by Damiani Books. For this in-person event, photographer Matthew Brookes presents his exhilarating homage to the surf and van culture of the California coast, in conversation with lifelong surfer and surf journalist Zack Raffin. Please register here! continue to blog
Featured spreads are from Matthew Brookes' classic photobook documenting California’s vibrant migratory surf-van culture. “This book provides a unique window into the daily lives of what many would describe as surf bums,” surfer and surf journalist Zack Raffin writes. “A large percentage of the subjects featured here live in their vans, and those who don’t have described their rigs as the vessels in which their personal strain of nirvana is achieved. Like the labyrinth that is a woman’s handbag, a surfer’s van can (and does) provide all of the essential factors needed to chart the course of a surfing life. Vans not only get you to the beach, but allow you to wake up to beachfront property at studio apartment prices. Factor in the spaciousness, the fact you can cook, store surfboards and commune with fellow tribesmen and you have yourself the answer as to why surfers and vans have gone hand in hand for generations. Southern California has long been the epicenter of the surfer/van relationship, providing a dance floor for the two to intermingle since the dawn of the wave riding bonanza. Those here offer a unique window into the current state of Los Angeles’ surf-van culture. This isn’t van life as you’ve seen on the internet… in fact it’s far from it. These vans are an organic extension of their owners, directly intertwined in the romance of life.” continue to blog
FORMAT: Pbk, 9.5 x 11.75 in. / 144 pgs / 120 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $49.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $66 ISBN: 9788862087643 PUBLISHER: Damiani AVAILABLE: 6/28/2022 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: NA LA
An exhilarating homage to the surf and van culture of the California coast, from the author of Les Danseurs
The second monograph by New York– and Paris-based photographer Matthew Brookes, Into the Wild is a vibrant celebration of surf life. For this project, Brookes followed a group of young surfers from Venice Beach on their adventures up and down the coast. The result is a story of van culture along the California coast—a story of youth choosing to follow their dreams, living out of vans, existing for surf and travel and freedom, and always chasing the best waves. The documentary-style photographs are typical of Brookes’ work, with ethereal shots punctuating more naturalistic photos. The book includes interviews with the surfers done by Zack Raffin from the major surf magazine Stab Magazine. Raffin is a young surfer himself and grew up surrounded by van culture, positioning him as an insider voice as much as a journalist.
Matthew Brookes is a photographer known for his editorial projects and his natural and simplistic style. Born in England and raised in South Africa, Brookes’ photographs have been featured in major magazines such as GQ Style, Vogue and L'Uomo Vogue. In addition to his work with models and celebrities, Brookes is fascinated by the dynamism of the human form in motion and enjoys photographing athletes and dancers. In 2015 Brookes published his first monograph with Damiani, Les Danseurs, a portrait of the ballet dancers of the Paris Opera.
