Post #374420 by bigbrotiki on Thu, Apr 17, 2008 8:44 PM

As the promotion of "good taste in Tiki" (not as much of an oxymoron as some people might think) is my constant aim, I wanted to open a thread that makes my point of WHY it is a bad idea to paint Tikis in garish colors very clear, in the simplest manner: By showing examples that speak for themselves.

I have pointed out on several occasions that I judge it as a sign of Tiki devolution to paint Tikis garishly, and I will repeat myself here, as this thread is meant to supersede all previous ones, so it can be referred to whenever the question of "Why is bold paint bad?" arises here.

Historical causes for slapping paint on Tikis:
As the Tiki Fever of the 1950s and 60s was subsiding in the 1970s, Tiki restaurant proprietors sought for ways to "keep up with the times", and as one measure decided that the "dark, primitive" look of their god heads was a "downer", and that they should be reborn in "happy, gay fiesta" colors. .....Wrong. This made things only worse.

Practical and psychological causes for slapping paint on Tikis:
As the Tikis grew older, they were in need for maintenance. The temptation to (instead of just using an appropriate dark varnish) become a little "creative" with paint, spoke to the child in every man. And every child knows that the lips and the tongue are red, and teeth are white, and that the rest is to be filled in like a fantasy coloring book! :)

Noted Polynesian scholar Terrence Barrow, Ph.D., speaks on the mistake of painting Tikis with wrong colors:
"Harsh color detracts so much from the sculptural quality of the carving that a sensitive eye is offended."

As our first example I choose a classic icon of Polynesian pop, the famous Mr. Bali Hai:

Green in the face is a bad decision for a restaurant logo, and this abomination was so glaringly offensive that it moved two renowned Tiki artists to volunteer their time and expertise to restore the beloved godhead to its original color scheme. Phew!

Another Tiki icon, the incomparable Tiki Bob, also fell victim to the "creativity urge":

Although not as offensive in its color palette, stylistically it was just AS wrong. Luckily, this aesthetic misstep has been corrected by some merciful soul since.
The fate of other, lesser known idols is uncertain, like this Milan Guanko at the Kon Tiki in Tuscon:

I would look unhappy too with such a paint job.

Some folks thought that RED and PINK would add that needed touch to these miniature golf guardians:

The painter of this fine Milan Guanko Tiki at the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach obviously had only three paints available, who knows what the rest of the carving would have looked like if not:

Musing about that is a moot point now anyway, since the whole Tiki has long disappeared since.

When all is needed is a simple one tone coat, why would one make such an effort to reach such an unproductive result:

These Tiki posts at the Hanalei Hotel atrium had been brown for over 20 years...for a good reason.

This Tiki's expression appears frozen in permanent shock over having been painted "Black Face" style:

Its physical downfall probably followed swiftly after its aesthetic demise (at the Kona Kai Mobile Home Park, Los Angeles).

Eli Hedley probably never imagined his Islander Apartments pool hut post being painted in white and green:

And though part of a spectacular recent urban archaeological find, this Tiki is an example that day-glow colors and primitive art do not mix:

And just in case there is any doubt about this issue left among the "Tiki should have no rules" crowd, I say take THAT:

A striking example of the misbegotten Injun War Paint/ Coloring Book free style paint job if I ever saw one.

NOTE": This thread shall be reserved for examples of classic mid-century Tikis having been painted over, and is NOT intended for the following:
A.) Garish Party City paper Tiki and other discount store Tiki art. Bad or good, it is what it is. We cannot change it, and we can bitch about it in other threads.
B.) Contemporary artists' examples, be it graphic or sculptural.
It is my hope that the wrongness of the Tiki crimes of the past will inform the artists of today to become better acquainted with a sensible use of colors in their efforts to continue the great tradition of American Tiki culture.

Any stupid joke and obvious "exceptions to the rule" examples will be ignored. Genuine questions about borderline cases and other uncertainties will be addressed in time. Thank you very much.