Phil at Lowers

Resin, authentic  t -rail spike from Lowers, wood letters, vintage photo 

11x18

Trestles #8 – Lowers is a handcrafted tribute to the iconic surf break known as Lower Trestles—a hallowed name in Southern California surf history. This mixed-media piece features a vintage image of a surfer (Phil Roberts) poised on the nose of a classic longboard, immortalizing a golden moment from a time when style and flow defined the sport. Below the photo, a rusted, authentic T-rail spike—once embedded in the train tracks that paralleled the coast—forms the “T” in Trestles, bridging the connection between surfing heritage and the Southern California railroad line that once gave the break its name.

Set in an arched, wood-framed shadowbox with layered text spelling out “LOWERS TRESTLES,” this artwork honors the soul of a surf spot that shaped generations of surfers. The finish is subtly weathered and resin-coated to evoke salt, sun, and sand. Whether you’re a surf history collector, a Trestles regular, or simply someone who reveres the culture of wave-riding, this piece captures the timeless energy of the break.

This work features a historical surf photograph taken by Bev Morgan in 1962, recontextualized within a sculptural framework that honors Southern California surf heritage and site-specific identity.

The photo — showing a surfer navigating the iconic wave at Lower Trestles — is used here under the principles of fair use for the purpose of artistic transformation and cultural commentary. The original image is not reproduced in full or sold as-is, and is embedded within a larger conceptual narrative reflecting on memory, place, and the physical texture of surf history.

Credit is given to the original photographer, and all rights to the source image remain with Bev Morgan or the estate.