South Island Swell

Elijah Agostinelli

My connection to surfing—and to the South Island landscape—was shaped early on by my uncle. His stories of an existence based solely around surfing left a lasting impression. Later, it was my mother, who nurtured that passion, driving me to the beach for countless surf trips. Through her ceramic work I began to see the ocean’s rhythms reflected in form and glaze.

Surfing gave me a direct, immersive relationship with the coastline. Observing how those experiences could be translated into ceramics sparked my interest in design. Waves become curves, tide lines become texture, and movement becomes form. This lens shaped how I interpret the natural world.

The South Island surf community has a rich connection to small business owners in this city. Many of them share a common instinct: to see nature not just as landscape, but as inspiration—something to be honored and reimagined through their craft. I feel that its evident, by looking at someone’s work, whether they have a strong connection to their environment. And what better place to explore that than this beautiful island we call ‘home’.