Jeff Ho
New and Vintage Boards
At DCA Fine Art in Venice, CA
August 12 - 19, 2003

Los Angeles, CA - Legendary Surfboard Shaper Jeff Ho has a collection of custom surfboards and skateboards on display at DCA Fine Art in Venice, California from August 12-19, 2003. The show, hosted by gallery owner Delia Cabral, incorporates Ho's unique boards and panoramic wave photography from Laguna Beach artist Mike Kelly. DCA is located at 219 Rose Ave.

As a critical player in the surfing to skateboarding revolution, Jeff Ho's boards visually connect surfing and skateboarding, highlighting a shared spirit that defies convention. These pieces, set off by pictures of Dogtown in its glory, allow viewers to actively observe physical testaments to the metamorphosis of a group of surfing bandits that became the radical pioneers of skateboarding - the Jeff Ho/ Zephyr Competition Team otherwise known as the Z-Boys.

The boards incorporate unique functional design and electrified painting that reference the local Venice graffiti style and vibrant color palette. Ho's emphasis on creating something original is realized in pieces that reveal the work of both a gifted engineer and a visionary artist. Surfboards, skateboards, and photography, are available for purchase at the event. A portion of the proceeds for the entire event will go to the Santa Monica Film Festival Charity - Cinema Fighting Cancer.

DCA Fine Art recently opened its new space in February 2003. DCA's mission is to showcase emerging and vibrant contemporary art from all corners of the globe fro the enjoyment, edification and social benefit of our local communities. For more information on the gallery please call 310 396-8565.

Guests of the opening night of the exhibit included Rob Cohen, Robert Trujillo, Shawn Mar, Jeff and Aaron Fishman of Fishman Productions LTD, Christina Hale, DJ Rock, Aaron Murray, Jim Muir, Pat Ngoho, Pat Barris, Ned Evans, Chris Rohloff, Simon Elbling, Babette Vanderplough, Terri Craft and Dan Levy of Juice Magazine, Barry Levine (Maui Film Festival), Julie Freidman (Santa Monica Film Festival), Bruce Thomas, Brad Ellman, Allen Sarlo, Solo, Gary Giovanazzi, Huey, Mike Cassel and Gary Shandling ("The Larry Sanders Show").

Ho explained his reason for hosting the show, "it was time to show the new boards, and the photos as well as some of the history." The interest in collecting Ho signature items has virtually exploded in the last few years and its far from over. Jeff and Aaron Fishman are in negotiations for a large chunk of the Ho collection including photos and a variety of the surfboards and skateboards. Robert Trujillo, (Suicidal Tendencies/Metallica) made an offer on three of the Zephyr surfboards. a private collector bought all three Zephyr skateboards. Shawn Mar bought a Glen E. Friedman/ C.R. Stecyk III "Dogtown and Z Boys" book autographed by Ho. Rob Cohen (director of "Triple X" and "The Fast and Furious" and "The Skulls" and "The Bruce Lee Story") purchased the photo of a finished foam blank by Ho - called "Fresh."

The surfboards on display (8 total) include 6 contemporary boards: a retro POP swallowtail made in Hawaii, two fishes with irridescent metal flake paint jobs, a flying fish (7"1 developed in Hawaii for Rocky Point ) and two Sarlo-type big wave boards - a 7'1 pearlescent flames squashtail and a 7"10" semi gun with a pearlescent rainbow fade paint, and a classic Pipeline pintail 10' longboard. It was a rare opportunity to view Jeff's contemporary work.

The exhibit also includes a vintage 6'4" POP edition tri-tail made in 1973 that is not for sale. The surfboard was made for the "Jeff Ho/Zephyr / Dick Dale Surfer Stomp" at the Hollywood Paladium.

There are five skateboards on display - including a vintage 1985 street skate deck (31.5" x 10") hand painted to match a 47" longboard in a series of three. The series also includes a 34.5" x 10" pool board all with yellow metal flake and
yellow and orange iridescent tiger striped with waxing cresent moon logos on the deck. The exhibit also features
a 9.5" x 33" tongue depressor hand-painted pearlescent orange with a silk screened Zephyr logo and a vintage 1985 original deck with red paint and white dragon graphics. Vintage photo of Ho wearing the first Zephyr moon pendant, photos at POP pier, and photos of Craig Freebairn in front of the Jeff Ho/Zephyr shop and many of the surfing photos used in the Dogtown movie were on display courtesy of Gary Giovanazzi.

Plans are in the works for future Jeff Ho / Zephyr events. Check www.juicemagazine.com for updates.

Jeff Ho - Dogtown 2003

opening night photos by Dan Levy