Post #104082 by PolynesianPop on Sun, Jul 25, 2004 6:47 PM

On 2004-07-25 14:39, Benzart wrote:
How about there will Never be another Oceanic Arts. There will be many other individual art producers but as far as a group to come along and have the impact OA did it would have to be in another field altogether, something that does not exist at the moment. O A did so much to populate so many commercial establisjhments with Tiki Art and decorations that the tiki movement will never experience that palce in time.

I have to side with Benzart on this one... Oceanic Arts is not just another place you can buy a tiki. These guys defined the Polynesian Pop era with their style and made a MAJOR impact. And they are still doing what they do best -- the decade of destruction (80's) couldn't stop them. They are both living legends and for NOT being followers but for being innovators. The Godfathers of Polynesian Pop if you will.

I'm not saying that today's talent doesn't have it -- they do. I just believe that Oceanic Arts started and established the field that today's artist is just trying to fit in to.

Again, no disrespect to any of today's talented artists, carvers, etc.

The next Oceanic Arts in my opinion, has yet to be born or already exists and we just don't know who they are yet. But they're not in the Polynesian Pop/Tropical/Hawaiian/Etc genre. They are in another genre and we won't realize who they are until 40 years from now when what they are doing now becomes passe and then becomes cool again because our kids will appreciate it after it has disappeared and will realize what an impact they have made.