Artists Shelley McNab, Jacqui Brown and Jamie Roper team up for surf art exhibition at Prevelly’s Greek chapel

A trio of local creatives are teaming up for a “surf art” exhibition at St John the Theologian chapel at Prevelly during the Margaret River Pro.

After the exhibition opening tonight, Friday, April 12, Seasaltware Ceramics’ Shelley McNab and painters Jacqui Brown and Jamie Roper will unveil their latest works at the prized chapel daily from April 13 to 21.

The artists came together from a shared love of and inspiration from the region’s beaches, waters and surfing, according to McNab.

“Pieces available for sale at the exhibition will include acrylics on canvas, surfboard art and a collection of ceramic moon jars, vases and porcelain jewellery,” she said.

Her work was made for everyday use and “created in the hope you can take a little bit of Margaret River home in ceramic form”.

Roper said he mostly worked in acrylics to capture the ocean spirit.

“I paint illustrative depictions of people using the environment around them,” he said.

“I am inspired by the natural world and by people who connect to that world by finding joy in its opportunities.

“In a world that is divided with such brittle and inflexible opinions, I hope that my art will help people daydream of a time when everybody is full of adventure and joy.”

Roper said his art offered the potential for people’s own inspiration to help “focus on the good in life again”.

Brown is a veteran fixture of the arts circuit, having lived in the region for almost 40 years.

Many of her paintings were affixed to surfboards that could be displayed, reflecting a deep interest in fantasy and mythology, as well as the region’s natural wonders.

“They invite the viewer to lose themselves in the long warm days of an endless, magical summer,” she said.

The exhibition runs from 10am to 3pm daily until Sunday, April 21.