The artwork “Untitled (Surfer)” by Julian Schnabel, created in 2008, is a piece of photography that belongs to the Neo-Expressionism art movement. It is a figurative artwork and is part of the “Surf Paintings” series, which was developed between 2006 and 2008.
In the artwork, there is a depiction of a surfer navigating a massive wave, evocatively captured in black and white. The image emphasizes the raw power and expanse of the ocean, with the surfer appearing as a small yet determined figure amidst the towering waves. Splashes of white paint are strategically applied over the photograph, creating a dynamic contrast and adding an abstract element, which is characteristic of Schnabel’s unconventional approach. These painted streaks simulate the white foam of the waves, further enhancing the tension between the natural and the artistic, making the viewer reflect on the interaction between the human presence and the vast natural world.