Duncen and Ralfie Learn to Surf, 2019
Krista Wright in collaberation w/ Kala Art Institute
Screen printed & hand bound artist book
edition 15
When I was a teenager I was obsessed with surf culture. I read all kinds of history books about it and its evolution, memoirs from people traveling all over to surf various waves, I washed tons of cars and saved enough money to buy my own surfboard and even thought I was going to be a marine biologist so I could study fish and surf around in the process! The only problem was that as much as I loved the idea of surfing, I was also terrified of it. The social aspects of being a “Kook” and getting in everyone’s way, the existence of sharks, and also the ocean itself being so alive and huge. So when I was thinking of the first full adventure to tell about Duncen and Ralfie, learning to surf was the first thing that came to mind. I wanted to make something cute and fun that showed that you can study all you want and look the part but the most important part of the adventure is accepting your fears and getting out into the water. And yes your fears might come true but they are never as bad as you think they are. I really enjoyed my time at Kala putting this special artwork together.