I think it has reached a point where it bears discussion... - Tiki Carving

H hewey Tiki Socialite Sydney, Australia Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 4283	H hewey Posted posted on Mon, Nov 14, 2005 5:29 PM I forgot to say earlier that I have Anthony Meyer "Oceanic Art" book too. Hell, that thing makes the BoT look like a short story. For those of you who havent seen it is 638 pages of traditional art from "Oceania", with a museum like approach. Massive pages, full colour, very authoritive. Again, this is where I agree with BK that it is good to look at this stuff for inspiration. I dont necessarily think we should just accept everything in there because it is "authentic" Man, some of the stuff in there is pretty much a goofy smile cut into some wood. If it was posted on here (judging by this post) some people wouldnt think it was appropriate or "true" tiki. What an irony. The true island art isnt really true tiki art? Yes I am being pedantic and anal myself here, but I think the point is valid. And while Im going, I strongly DONT want to carve traditional art. I dont feel comfortable with copying someones elses culture (and religious items in many cases). I wouldnt play with a crucifix in pop culture art either, so it goes both ways. But again, I do agree with BK we should continue to challenge ourselves as artists, and look at a variety of different influences as we do our thing. I will get ideas from traditional stuff, but have no desire to faithfully recreate them myself. One last point (I ramble dont I?). Some people have taken the "people shouldnt get offended, theyre too sensitive" line. "Theyre artists, they need to have a thick hide". Most of us are just posting on here because we love to carve/paint and share it with like minded people. Realistically, bugger all of us are going to launch into full time art as a career. Yes, the real world is big and mean and nasty and will criticise our art. But, TC should be about supporting artists, not making them feel unwelcomed. If it was just a single artist getting this vibe, then maybe they are being a little too sensitive. But when a number of artists are smarting REALLY badly, youve got to wonder what the hell is goin on. Especially when one of them has been carving since before i was born, and is revered with an almost god-like status on here.

I forgot to say earlier that I have Anthony Meyer "Oceanic Art" book too. Hell, that thing makes the BoT look like a short story. For those of you who havent seen it is 638 pages of traditional art from "Oceania", with a museum like approach. Massive pages, full colour, very authoritive. Again, this is where I agree with BK that it is good to look at this stuff for inspiration. I dont necessarily think we should just accept everything in there because it is "authentic"

Man, some of the stuff in there is pretty much a goofy smile cut into some wood. If it was posted on here (judging by this post) some people wouldnt think it was appropriate or "true" tiki. What an irony. The true island art isnt really true tiki art? Yes I am being pedantic and anal myself here, but I think the point is valid.

And while Im going, I strongly DONT want to carve traditional art. I dont feel comfortable with copying someones elses culture (and religious items in many cases). I wouldnt play with a crucifix in pop culture art either, so it goes both ways.

But again, I do agree with BK we should continue to challenge ourselves as artists, and look at a variety of different influences as we do our thing. I will get ideas from traditional stuff, but have no desire to faithfully recreate them myself.

One last point (I ramble dont I?). Some people have taken the "people shouldnt get offended, theyre too sensitive" line. "Theyre artists, they need to have a thick hide". Most of us are just posting on here because we love to carve/paint and share it with like minded people. Realistically, bugger all of us are going to launch into full time art as a career. Yes, the real world is big and mean and nasty and will criticise our art. But, TC should be about supporting artists, not making them feel unwelcomed. If it was just a single artist getting this vibe, then maybe they are being a little too sensitive. But when a number of artists are smarting REALLY badly, youve got to wonder what the hell is goin on. Especially when one of them has been carving since before i was born, and is revered with an almost god-like status on here.

Post #198074 by hewey on Mon, Nov 14, 2005 5:29 PM