Robert Longo and the Truth About Waves

This might be a stretch but often when I look at Robert Longo’s wave drawings I can’t help but think about the various real waves these remind me of, and how much I as a trapped urban surfer wish I could be near their giant, glassy faces…A brief comparison of source and interpretation

Margaret River, Western Australia - The Box

Half Moon Bay, California - Three Views of Maverick’s

Teahupoo, Tahiti

Tasmania, Australia - Cyclops

Oahu, Hawaii - Waimea Bay


Oahu, Hawaii - Pipeline

Oahu, Hawaii - Waimea Shorebreak

“For me there are many connections between the bombs, roses, Freuds and waves… Aside from man becoming nature, the waves were about nature becoming man. They‘re so animate, so much about power, and feelings we all understand about being overpowered, somebody rising up and taking over. The bombs are the opposite. We are creating things that could make us obsolete. Which is a frightening thing.”
-Robert Longo