Post #6598 by Tiki_Bong on Fri, Aug 23, 2002 10:58 AM

Even though we prize the tikis carved by the Masters, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that there are a few young up-and-coming carvers.

Two that immediately come to mind are Chiki Tiki and Gecko (Crazy Al is a given!). These two have studied, and studied with the Masters. They are true to tradition in both form and quality.

Last weekend at the 'Gathering of the Tribes', Chiki Tiki had a stand set up with a number of his carvings and other items he had created.

I adopted a very nice 4' tiki of Ku he had done (after doing a very thorough background check, including DNA testing, lie detector, a sworn and signed allegiance to tiki, and a credit rating, Chiki Tiki ALLOWED me to gain possession; I think you can adopt Russian babies easier!)

The work is very detailed. He had gone above the standard 'full-frontal' work and had some design carvings on the back. Ku was then lacquered with some braided trim on the base.

Gecko - a cool, laid-back, easy-going kinda guy (what island boy wouldn't be), is also true to tradition following the Marquesian style. I have a 3' Marquesian style and a Tiki Bar sign incorporating half of a tiki head.

My 3'er is interesting in that Gecko (Mike) had stained it then painted typical Marquesan tattoo markings over it. In addition, I've indirectly provided some sort of sex ed with him as my daughters like sneeking a peak under his bark cloth is ya know what I mean! (the brah is hung, No?).

Anyway, Tiki was around before the 20th century masters and will be around after we're long gone. I think it is important to assist these young carvers by, well, buying their work and thus perpetuating tiki.