Jul 03
July 3, 2007 (RALEIGH, NC) - An exhibition of original artwork on handcrafted surfboards that is quickly garnering international attention is coming to downtown Raleigh this summer when artist Clark Hipolito unveils his newest summer art/surf series at April & George art bar and wine gallery on Friday, July 13, entitled "Against The Grain." This show will feature some of the very first boards Hipolito painted along with his most recent creations, allowing viewers to see the evolution of the idea. Hipolito, who owns The Art Company in Raleigh, introduced his first collection of hand-painted wood-grain boards at Deluxe restaurant in Wilmington last summer. All of the boards sold, most for well above the asking price (which was $5000 for some). They were subsequently featured in Line Up and Waterfront Homes & Design magazines. The success of that show inspired Hipolito and his longtime friend and fellow artist, Tony Ramsi, to create a new show this summer, which debuted again at Deluxe in June. Shortly after the show opened in Wilmington, Global Surf News.com featured the one-of-a-kind boards on its website. Since then, Grund Genug, a German international magazine on luxurious living, and Khooligan, a Russian art and lifestyle magazine, have scheduled publication of the boards in upcoming editions. Hipolito, 36, is of Filipino descent and finds inspiration for his boards in both the Polynesian surfing legacy and Asian art. As he told Waterfront Homes & Design, "There's a fine line I'm dancing between invoking classical elements and keeping the design hip." The "hip" factor was clearly evident a couple of months ago when Hipolito was commissioned by Grammy-winning pop star "Pink" (Alecia Moore) to create a board for husband Carey Hart's birthday. "That was the phone call I'll never forget!" he admitted afterwards. The surfboards are shaped by Brian Wynn of Wynn Surfboards in New Jersey, as well as Adam Price and Hunter Ford of Momentum Surfboards with locations on the east and west coasts. The opening reception for April & George's showing of "Against The Grain" will be held July 13. The show will remain there throughout July. For more information on Clark Hipolito, visit http://www.art-company.com. For directions and more information on April & George, visit www.aprilandgeorge.com or call 910- 251-0333.