Joe Curren Photography | Blog

“Rincon, January 16th, 2010”, Ilfochrome, 7–¹/₂ x 20” (matted to 20 x 24”), edition of 75

Pictured is a framed Ilfochrome print (formerly Cibachrome), custom made for a friend in San Diego. Ilfochrome printing from photographs made on slide film started in the early ‘60’s. I’ve always printed with both digital and traditional methods, but after getting a few Ilfochromes that’s going to change. My digital prints made from high resolution scans were good, but for me, especially when it comes to printing from slides, nothing compares to the quality, detail and the glossy metallic–look of Ilfochromes.

Plus, there’s just something to be said about something that’s handmade. Who know how much longer Ilfochrome printing will be around (these were made by Frank Green of The Lab Ciba in Burbank, ca), or even film for that matter, but I’m going to keep printing and shooting with traditional methods as long as I can.

Speaking of handmade, I milled the moulding for this frame from salvaged Pacific madrone (arbutus menziesii), a western hardwood. It’s finished with a varnish.

Fiber print in walnut frame, custom made for legendary body surfer Mark Cunningham. Dan Malloy and I met this man during a trip to Taiwan in September, 2005. He lost his arms in a car accident but was still an avid body surfer. After he put his swim fins on with his teeth, he and Dan rode a few waves together. I don’t know if he rode a surf board before the accident, but you could tell he loved to body surf because after every wave he would let out a really loud hoot.

Here are some photos of the East Meets West show at The Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach last weekend.

All of the prints are traditional fiber and c–prints made from the original negative. The Rincon panoramic is a cibachrome print. The Africa collage was made with about 80 traditional prints and the frames from tiger–striped myrtlewood from Southern Oregon.

The show should be up another two weeks at The Surf Gallery

Hours: 12–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and by appointment.

911 S. Coast Hwy. Laguna Beach, CA 92651

949–376–9155

THE SURF GALLERY PRESENTS –

EAST MEETS WEST
Tyler Warren, Joe Curren & Yusuke Hanai

New Exhibition @ The Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach!
2 Artist Receptions: Saturday, Oct. 31, 6–10 p.m. (costume optional)
Sunday, Nov. 1st, from 3–6 p.m. (w/ The Mattson 2)

Laguna Beach, Calif. – Join us at The Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach for EAST MEETS WEST, an exhibition of paintings, photographs & prints by Tyler Warren, Joe Curren & Yusuke Hanai (from Yokohama, Japan). There will be two artist receptions: Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 6–10 p.m. (live music & Halloween costume optional) and Sunday, November 1, 2009 from 3–6 p.m., with a matinee performance by The Mattson 2. Complimentary refreshments served, courtesy Barefoot Wine. This is going to be a GOOD show…don’t miss it!

The Surf Gallery is located at 911 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651. It is on the corner of pch and Thalia. For more info, go to www.thesurfgallery.com

Here’s a sample of some of the framed prints I donated for the Art Benefit tonight in Irvine.

These are 8 x 8” fiber prints made from a Lomo toy camera, all of them are number 1 in an edition of 10. I made the frames from salvaged redwood and finished them with teak oil.

This is a frame I made recently for one of my Rincon prints. It went to a friend in Santa Barbara. It’s made from reclaimed redwood and Port Orford cedar.

Kirra II, 2004 – maple

Sao Tome Surfers, 2006 – walnut

Central California, 2004 – walnut

Here’s shots of frames I made for some of Andrew Kidman’s silk screen prints. In January he came up from Australia to promote his beautiful new book Ether. This show was at the Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach which had great live music by The Matson Two. The frames are made from solid maple and walnut.