Post #59543 by Tiki Mon on Wed, Nov 12, 2003 8:23 AM

This tiki was carved soon after reading an article about the history of surfing in Hawaii. Shortly after being "discovered" and re-colonized, missionaries set up shop in Hawaii. It seems that sometimes when the Catholic missionaries held mass many of the islanders would be absent; only to be discovered surfing. When the surf was up the priests would lose out. So, they deemed surfing as a sensual act and declared any participants as sinners destined for Hell. Well, the islanders weren't about to give up surfing, but at the same time, feared the wrath of the church. So, they made these big kites and if they flew a certain way, islanders knew the break was good and would gladly trade their souls for some gnarly waves.

Anyway, I intended the tiki to be holding a cross. My goal was to create a juxtaposition by using two powerful icons of paganism and Christianity. I didn't carve him to provoke emotion, but rather inspire thought. Its funny, but by quietly holding a cross this tiki is more disturbing (terrifying) than if he was growling and wielding a wicked club with blood dripping from it. Interesting, huh?