“It’s not a matter of painting life, it’s a matter of giving life to a painting.” – Pierre Bonnard.
Not one professional wakeboarder can solely be interested in wakeboarding alone. In fact no one can simply have one single interest or passion in their lives. As a secondary love some like music, some like sport. Josh O’Connell loves art.
Like many artistically-inclined people, Josh finds the world around him a constant source of inspiration.
Recently, he was captivated by a balloon. It was filled with helium, cruising by on a listless journey up into the unknown. As he gazed up into the sky at the loan traveler, he a likened himself to it and its freedom. It gave him an idea.
The above quote by Pierre Bonnard fits the bill perfectly. In this series of photographs, Josh has brought another element to the photographic canvas. In a unique reflection of his riding personality, the balloons bring a sense of indiviual flair and creativity to what would otherwise be a fairly typical wakeboard photograph.
The famous French impressionist Edouard Manet once said something along the lines of: “The only thing that matters bro, is keepin’ them colours tight and keepin’ it fresh man”. This is what keeps O’Connell inspired – the longing to keep things fresh.
Perhaps he will not go down in history as the most decorated wakeboarder (in terms of trophies and podium finishes), but his ability to mesh wakeboarding with art, guarantees him a pole position in the legacy of Australian wakeboarding.
Of course, competition results are a great way to gauge a winner, but it is the riders that are at the pioneering front of wakeboarding that will truly mould the future of it.
So sit back and take a look at a fresh perspective of wakeboarding. Immerse yourself in the awesome compositions that are, quite simply, wakeboarding and a whole heap of red balloons brought together.
Enjoy.
When shooting into the sun, Christian Fitzpatrick’s sequin-covered reflectorboard was used to light this shot. Christian had made the 2m by 3m frame in the hope it would give off a ‘shimmering light’ much like that of sunlight reflecting on a water’s surface. Jenn Langton was set up in a leaky tinny just off to the left of this shot. It was her job to aim the reflection-maker directly at Josh, as he passed over the last section of the step-up.
The result speaks for itself – a soft, scattered light revealing detail in the shot’s shadow covered areas.
“I guess of late I’ve been more inspired to do different things with wakeboarding – the balloon project is a perfect example. I have surrounded myself with this sport and at times maybe a little too much. Both in a good way and bad one at times. Bringing something unexpected to wakeboarding (like the balloons), keeps me pumped on progression and direction – both essential elements for the growth of the sport.
For me, it’s about doing what makes me happy and creating stuff makes me happy.
Success to me is having an idea, following it through and enjoying the ride. If magazines and people are interested and pumped on it, then I am extra stoked. But by no means do I create things for publicity’s sake.” – Josh O’Connell.
