CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 6/2/2022

Rizzoli Bookstore presents Matthew Brookes and Zack Raffin launching 'Into the Wild'

Thursday, June 2 at 6 PM, Rizzoli Bookstore presents the launch of Matthew Brookes: Into the Wild, published by Damiani Books. For this in-person event, photographer Matthew Brookes presents his exhilarating homage to the surf and van culture of the California coast, in conversation with lifelong surfer and surf journalist Zack Raffin. Please register here!

The second monograph by New York- and Paris-based photographer Matthew Brookes, Into the Wild is a vibrant celebration of surf life. For this project, Brookes followed a group of young surfers from Venice Beach on their adventures up and down the coast. The result is a story of van culture along the California coast—a story of youth choosing to follow their dreams, living out of vans, existing for surf and travel and freedom, and always chasing the best waves. The documentary-style photographs are typical of Brookes’ work, with ethereal shots punctuating more naturalistic photos. The book includes interviews with the surfers done by Zack Raffin from the major surf magazine Stab Magazine. Raffin is a young surfer himself and grew up surrounded by van culture, positioning him as an insider voice as much as a journalist.

Matthew Brookes is a photographer known for his editorial projects and his natural and simplistic style. Born in England and raised in South Africa, Brookes’ photographs have been featured in major magazines such as GQ Style, Vogue and L'Uomo Vogue. In addition to his work with models and celebrities, Brookes is fascinated by the dynamism of the human form in motion and enjoys photographing athletes and dancers. In 2015 Brookes published his first monograph with Damiani, Les Danseurs, a portrait of the ballet dancers of the Paris Opera.

Zack Raffin is a lifelong surfer and surf journalist who has previously worked for titles such as Stab Magazine and LogRap. Having grown up in New York City, Zack found his passion for surfing on the shores of Montauk, New York, where he grew under the tutelage of East Coast Surfing Hall of Famer Tony Caramonico. After being transplanted to Venice Beach for university, Zack has since turned Malibu First Point into his local break where you can find him throughout the majority of the west coast’s summer South Swells.

Into the Wild Book Launch
Rizzoli Bookstore
Thursday, June 2: 6PM
1133 Broadway
New York, NY 10010