Ippy Drops In ... and Rips

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the exhibition, “IPPY DROPS IN… and rips” re-visits collection works by photographer Doug Spowart and Filmmaker Kate Ellovee in documenting surf subculture in the city of Ipswich.

Despite being geographically located 100 kilometres from the nearest ‘break’, Kate undertook an ambitious project with the support of Ipswich Art Gallery alongside photographer Doug Spowart to capture this displaced subculture.

Surfing in the 1960s and 1970s was a way to ‘drop out’ from the conversation of the post-war era. At the time of shooting in the 1990s, Kate and Doug sought to ironically combine the absurdity of Ipswich residents leading a seemingly double life.

Playing with the aesthetics of classic surfing movies and music videos, the artists used the medium of video and photography to document and poke fun at the successful survival of inland surfers.

The reshowing of this body of work aims to reflect on the changes in Ipswich’s culture and reunite all parties involved, in hopes of sharing the legacy of Ipswich surfers with the next generation.  

Exhibition Description:

• The exhibition will present 38 framed photographs in the Community Gallery space, including hanging banners.
• The documentary film footage will be screened in the Community Gallery on a TV with seating.
• Russell Clifford has agreed to lend 3 surfboards (arranged by Kate) to be displayed in the exhibition space in light of a new connection formed since the 1993 showing.

Ipswich Community Gallery

2nd December - 22nd December 2023