Olaf Breuning 2001 "Vikings." Photo: Nyehaus

By Mackie Healy, Art Market Views Contributor

New York City may be in the throes of a heat wave, but here come a trio of Chelsea galleries presenting SWELL, a well-timed surf-themed exhibition running July 1- August 6th.

Nyehaus, Friedrich Petzel Gallery and Metro Pictures will present the show, curated by Tim Nye and Jacqueline Miro.  Works by some seventy-five artists include Ed Ruscha, Robert Longo, Peter Alexander, John McCracken and Olaf Breuning.

The show is divided between the three galleries and each focuses on a different aspect of East and West Coast surf and beach culture from 1950-2010.  Works highlight artists and ideas of the Beat Generation, Assemblage, Light and Space, Finish Fetish, and early Pop Art movements.

Metro Pictures
519 West 24th Street
(212) 206-7100

Friedrich Petzel Gallery
537 West 22nd Street
(212) 680-9467

Nyehaus
358 West 20th Street, #2
(212) 366-4493

Fred Tomaselli 2003 "Toyopia." Photo: Nyehaus

Jim Evans "Bitchin' poster collaboration with Robert Williams." Photo: Nyehaus