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2nd. Annual Tiki Art Show
"Tiki Art Two"


Curator: Otto von Stroheim
A little bit about Tiki Style
What is Tiki? The American Heritage Dictionary defines a Tiki as “a wooden or stone image of a Polynesian God.”While fans of Tiki Style might border on religious fanaticism in their love for all things Tiki and their obsession for collecting Tiki mugs and menus, the Tikis they worship are wholly American artistic creations. In its heyday the decor, food and music used in Tiki bars was referred to as South Seas, Polynesian, or Exotica and later simply as Tiki. Today, the umbrella term Tiki is used to describe the entire gamut of Pan Polynesian arts that were applied in those restaurants and bars from the late 1930s to the mid 1970s. Book of Tiki author Sven Kirsten dubbed it “Polynesian Pop.” I prefer to call it Tiki Style and recognize it as a bona fide art movement. Whatever you call it, it’s back and it’s getting bigger.

The Coming of a New Art God Despite Tiki’s mainstream popularity in the 50s and 60s, no one had recognized Tiki Style as an art movement or gathered the creations into a gallery show. In 1996 I co-curated “20th Century Tiki” at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. It was the first Tiki art gallery show ever and spawned many others around the country. The success of that show and the publicity it generated sparked the current Tiki art movement. In September of 2004 I curated Tiki Art Now! to showcase the breadth of the movement. In this second show — Tiki Art Two — I strive to show greater depth by tightening the reins and presenting more pieces by fewer artists. For this exhibit, I chose a handful of artists whose work I not only enjoy but highly respect as excellent examples of the movement. Some of the artists are well-known, integral figures within the Tiki movement (Bosko, Crazy Al, Tiki Tony, etc.), while some of them may not necessarily be associated with Tiki art but have been uniquely inspired to create beautiful Polynesian Pop pieces (Isabel Samaras, Ewik, Niagara, etc.). Of special note are installation pieces by Crazy AL Evans and Tiki tOny. These pieces recreate an imaginary Tiki bar in the gallery’s front windows! With the second installment of the Tiki Art show I think it is clear that Tiki art is once more an established genre of American Folk art that it is here to stay!
- Otto von Stroheim, Tiki News magazine, www.tikinews.com

Bosko

Crazy Al

Tiki Tony

Isabel Samaras

Ewik

Niagara

The Four Generations of Tiki
[excerpted from the foreword to Tiki Art Two] I can see that there are at least four generations of Tiki art. The first generation of Polynesian Pop Culture came into being slowly in the 1920’s through the 1940’s, and then burst into full bloom in the late 50’s and early 60’s. The late 70’s and early 80’s brought the second generation of Tiki artists—people that had lived through the first generation of Tiki pop culture as children watching their parents throw elaborate backyard luaus. This second generation included musician/artists such as Michael Uhlenkott and Steve Thomsen (both known for the punk bands Monitor and The Tikis), Boyd Rice (innovator of noise and industrial music and the band NON) and their counterparts across the Atlantic, the notorious noise group Throbbing Gristle. In the mid-90’s, a third generation of Tiki artists emerged. They found inspiration from the first generation’s efforts as well as the second generation’s pioneering of the Tiki revival. Early in the third millennium, a fourth generation of Tiki arts burst forth, ignited by the immense popularity of publications and books like Otto von Stroheim’s Tiki News, Sven Kirsten’s The Book of Tiki, Martin McIntosh’s Taboo: The Art of Tiki, and Juxtapoz magazine. This new generation of Tiki artist may comprise the largest group yet!

- Jeffrey Vallance artist, writer, curator, explorer and Visiting Assistant Professor, UCLA http://www.65media.com/jeffreyvallance


Bosko

Dave Burk

Davey

Kirsten Easthope

Crazy Al

Ewik

Makoto

MunkTiki/Paul

MunkTiki/Stuckie


Niagara


Isabel Samaras

Shag

Miles Thompson

Tiki Tony

Heather Watts

Derek Yaniger
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Exhibition Catalog, 2005

In addition to the exhibit this stunning display of neo-primitive images is captured in a 116 page full color catalog available opening night. Published by 9mm Books, the catalog features an introduction by world famous artist, curator and art writer Jeffrey Vallance, and foreword by Tikimiester Otto von Stroheim, publisher of Tiki News.

If you missed opening night you can purchase Tiki Art Two at 9mmbooks for $19.95.

Exhibition Catalog, 2004

Art Historians, Collectors and Tiki-philes. . .

9mm Books has a dwindling supply of last years show catalog "Tiki Art Now!". Because of the special price for the combination listed below they are going fast. Just $19.95.
Special Combination of Tiki Books

9mm Books
is currently offering a great Tiki-Value, both art show books for $34.95 - "That is - while they last. . ."