Post #386198 by woofmutt on Wed, Jun 11, 2008 12:20 AM

I make Tiki Art because it's fun. Yes, fun.

In the past I have given some consideration to the source material, checked out books, made notes. But other than all of that now being part of my creative unconscious I never attempt to ape actual Polynesian pieces. (To be bluntly honest: I really don't have that much interest in true Polynesian culture, my interest is in the interpretation of that culture into a pretend paradise.)

I make three types of

• Super Cartoony stuff (frequently featuring big teeth, Oh! The Horror!)

• Is-That-A-Mid-Century-Piece? stuff which I try to make look like actual Tiki interpretations from half a century ago

• Tiki Nuevo (a term I just made up) which is an attempt to make something "serious" and contemporary that has as its source the middle class whitewashing of other cultures into decorative background material. (And it's not intended as a commentary on that practice.)

I always strive for genuine creativity. I don't imitate others original work...What would be the point? (This is not a comment on those who make painstaking reproductions of items. Your stuff makes my brain hurt. In an admiring way.)

I really don't worry what the general Tikiphile public may think of my work. If someone likes it I am happy to have made something they'll enjoy. If someone sees one of my big toothed Tikis and has to be revived with smelling salts because they were so offended...Well, so what.

If you're an artist or just want to give "Other Crafts" a whirl you should not be afraid to make whatever the hell you want. You can call it whatever you want, too. But you can't expect everyone, or even anyone, to like it or consider it to be what you claim it is.

If you're scared by the opinion of others you're probably not going to do well at anything. Give those fears some reconsideration (and hopefully the boot). If you can't take well constructed criticism then you probably should just keep your art to yourself or on your mom's fridge because it's doubtful your going to improve your work.