Post #391474 by TikiMango on Thu, Jul 3, 2008 2:14 PM

So you make Tiki Art, but what you make or the way you make it may not fall within a narrow definition of Tiki Art. Why do you as an artist feel your art qualifies as Tiki Art?

I don't know if my art qualifies as Tiki Art. I do know that I like it, and hope others do as well. I create from what inspires me, and for a long time that inspiration has radiated from all things Tiki. I have a very narrow definition of what Tiki is: pre-1940 Hawaiian origin. First cousins would be Polynesian and South Pacific art. Second cousins would be African and other tribal based art. Distant cousins would be the Tiki Nouveau, commercial stuff in the last 10yrs. Don't break out the pitch forks, I love the new styles and work that people are creating! Its just not my style, and not my first inspiration. I try not to get cartoony or "commercial" with my art, I just like playing with color. I'm not looking to make a living from my art. Its my hobby, my therapy, my escape.

But who knows, artistic release affects people in different ways. When I eventually pick up that mallet and chisel, I might go straight for the bug eyes and big teeth. :D