Maori-style carving by Marcus Thorn

Aussie tiki carver, Marcus Thorn

This past spring, I had the great pleasure of spending a few days with Tiki Beat’s Marcus Thorn, and his wife Yvette. Marcus is a fantastic tiki carver, he’s been making a living at his art the past decade-plus — he is in high demand in his native Australia, and his tikis have found homes all over the globe. Marcus and Yvette have been a fixture in Australia’s rockabilly scene for ages, and are very happy that Australia is finally developing a bit of a tiki scene, as well. A bit over a year ago, Marcus joined in with the band of merry carvers at Tiki Central, and has been sharing in-progress pictures of many of his carvings on a thread of his own. Marcus and Yvette are incredibly gracious people, and care a lot about giving their customers the best bang for their tiki-buying buck — every year they host a great big luau for their friends and customers at their ranch/estate outside Brisbane.

• Tiki Beat
• tikis by marcus thorn [Tiki Central]

Shag tiki Rubix cube, by Atomicchick

Nope, this isn’t the latest product from Shagmart — this is something Atomicchick whipped up when struck with a bout of boredom.

• Tiki Rubix Cube [Tiki Central]
• Shagmart

McVicker art of a Polynesian revue

Detail of McVicker art

The above art was posted by someone on Tiki Central who is looking to learn more about it. It’s lovely — I’d love to know more about it, myself. According to the poster, thegreenman, this lithograph was acquired via his aunt, who is in a south Florida retirement village. His aunt got it from a woman “who knew the artist” (the work is signed “McVicker”). This woman said it was created as a promotion for a “Polynesian gardens fire dance,” and it is from 1959. I don’t know how accurate any of that is, but I do know it’s a great scene — complete with fire dancers, hula dancers, a band, well-dressed patrons, a serving wahine, a bartender, a mysterious shady figure at the back, even a full-on decorated a-frame. It’s almost too perfect… I would have guessed that it was a modern piece, the way it so perfectly nails every Poly Pop cliche. Regardless, it’s gorgeous.

McVicker signature

I did a quick search on “McVicker” and turned up an artist, J. Jay McVicker; he created some pieces of a similar tone, and which date from a similar age, but his style was more abstract, and a close comparison of the signatures looks like a mis-match. Thegreenman hails from Ft. Lauderdale, and a piece of framing tape on the back says “Schwarms Photo Center Bahia Mar Commercial Photography – Illustrative- Architectural-Marine” (today, there is a Bahia Mar hotel near the water in Ft. Lauderdale). The mind, of course, leaps to the Mai-Kai, which opened in 1956, but in those days the Mai-Kai wasn’t the only game in town — or at least, wasn’t the only game in south Florida. There are many folks more knowledgable than I am about Florida tiki history (Kailuageoff’s presentation at the Hukilau should be a treat), hopefully someone out there can clear up the mystery.

UPDATE: thegreenman has left a comment, stating that he learned from his aunt that this was a promotion for the Polynesian Room at the Yankee Clipper — the official hotel for this year’s Hukilau!

• 1959 Lithograph McVicker Polynesian fire dance [Tiki Central]

Crazy Al’s Super Custom APE mug

Crazy Al has created this one-of-a-kind custom APE mug, with gorgeous hand-painted Fijian tapa cloth design fez. He says this is the first, and that there will be others, but no info about how many or when — just that they’ll all be different. They will be sold on eBay, but he hasn’t listed it yet (Crazy Al says, “it’s been a few years since i posted on ebay, so as soon as i figure out how to do it all over again, I’ll post when the auction will start”). If you’re ready for some serious eBay bidding warfare, keep an eye on the Tiki Central thread for details.

Fijian tapa designs on Crazy Al’s super custom APE mug

• First Super Dooper APE-Fez MUG!!! [Tiki Central]

It’s All About the Tiki, by Thorsten Kasenkamm

More details about the Tiki Art Now III event in Seattle I first posted about in April:

The show is at Seattle’s Roq la Rue Gallery, in the Belltown district (also home to ‘Ohana and the Lava Lounge), and runs from Friday, September 15 thorugh Monday, October 9. Artists include:

• Shag
• Lisa Petrucci
• Bosko
• Tim Biskup
• Mr. G
• Brian Barneclo
• Wayne Coombs
• Davey (Dave Wong)
• Crazy Al Evans
• Dawn Frasier
• Thorsten Hasenkamm
• Munktiki Paul & Stuckie
• Tiki Tony
• Heather Watts
• Derek Yaniger

The opening event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 15, and the evening will include a live performance from Seattle’s own Lushy, DJed music from Selector Lopaka, and a special mini-exhibit of vintage black velvet paintings by Burke Tyree. There will also be a limited edition mug created for the event by Munktiki, and Tiki Art Now posters and t-shirts, and a full-color catalog of the event with a forword from Tiki Art Now curator, Otto von Stroheim.

I’m hoping to make it up for this event — it looks like just the excuse I need to go hit my old stompin’ grounds.

• Roq la Rue
• Tiki Art Now III Coming to Seattle [Humu Kon Tiki]
• Tiki Art Now 3 Seattle Sept 15 w/ Lushy live [Tiki Central]

Sabu the Coconut Boy’s propaganda

Sabu the Coconut Boy is responsible for this Tiki propaganda poster; it’s a play on a few different inside jokes at Tiki Central. The result is not just gorgeous — it’s a compelling call to commit yourself to the Tiki Army. Heil Sabu!

• Got Bob? [Tiki Central]

Sunrise Tiki by Flounder

Sunset Tiki by Flounder

One of my favorite artists, Flounder, has created two new tiki-themed paintings, Sunrise Tiki and Sunset Tiki. As the names suggest, the two paintings are a blue sunrise scene and a red sunset scene, each with three tikis of very different styles. Each of the two paintings are acrylic on 18″ x 12″ Masonite wood, and each is $500. Hand-signed prints of the paintings are also available for $30 each, plus $6 shipping (shipping is more if outside the contiguous U.S.). The prints are 17″ x 11″ on 19″ x 13″ heavyweight paper, and are mailed flat; shipping is combined if you buy both.

• Flounderart.com
• New Tiki Paintings and Prints by Flounder [Tiki Central]

Tiki the pug loves his Munktiki

Munktiki is looking for Munktiki lovers to submit images for an upcoming book about Munktiki. The book is to be published by The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco. They especially want candid images, showing how Munktiki mugs work their way into people’s lives. It’s okay if it’s one mug or a hundred, but make sure it’s high resolution. You can email them to cheers@munktiki.com. You can see some of the swell pictures they’ve collected so far on their Mug Shots page (warning: NSFW!). Also, be sure to check out their fancy-schmancy new website!

• Mug Shots (warning: NSFW!) [Munktiki]
• Munktiki’s website
• Munktiki’s New Web Site [Tiki Central]

TP pufferfish light, by atomictonytiki

While I’ve never made a pufferfish lamp myself, I’ve known enough people who have to have learned that it can be a somewhat messy, smelly, even bloody, undertaking — but is generally worthwhile. But if you’re squeamish, animal-rights-oriented, or just have an abundance of “nasty thick recycled toilet paper,” as was the case for atomictonytiki, you can make your very own faux pufferfish. Atomictonytiki posted this on Tiki Central way back in 2003, but I think it’s worth some fresh attention. He made his using the aforementioned TP, wire, glue, and toothpicks. Convincing or no, I think it’s quite lovely in its own right.

• Building puffer fish [Tiki Central]

Painted Tiki Mug for DvA Gallery show, by Mr. G

As I reported back in April, DvA Gallery is celebrating their 2nd anniversary with their Gala-Tiki event. Over 30 artists have contributed — of particular interest is a series of tiki mugs hand-painted by artists, including Flounder, Dave Krys, Derek Yaniger, The Pizz, Squid, Mitch O’Connell, Tiki Tony, and the above beaut by Mr. G. There will be hula dancers on hand (with leis!), the Cocktail Preachers are performing, and it’s all free to the public. Additionally, Flounder is making prints of his painting from this show available at a shockingly affordable $30. The Gala starts this Saturday at 4pm and goes to 11pm. DvA Gallery is at 2568 N. Lincoln Ave. Happy Anniversary, DvA Gallery!

• One-Of-A-Kind Tiki Mugs By Your Favorite Artists [Tiki Central]
• 2nd Annual Gala-Tiki at DvA Gallery! [Tiki Central]
• New FLOUNDER Tiki print [Tiki Central]
• Chicago: DvA Gallery’s 2nd Anniversary Party [Humu Kon Tiki]

Tiki "Thinker" at Stanford University

While making plans to visit the Rodin sculpture garden at Stanford University a couple weeks back, I made a startling discovery… the Cantor Arts Center, which manages the Rodin sculptures, also has a second, separate sculpture garden on the other side of campus — and this one is all art from Papua New Guinea.

In 1994, several artists from Papua New Guinea were brought to Stanford to create carvings on-site. The sculptures are all clustered in a wooded area at the corner of Santa Teresa and Lomita. At the center are a cluster of poles carved from trees that are 20-30 feet tall, surrounded by still-untouched trees. There are two large slit drums on the ground, ready to be thumped. To one side, there are some painted poles, and some great tikis. To the south is a large, striking carving with bird wings outstretched, and to the north are a variety of lovely stone carvings.

The Cantor Arts Center museum also has a small collection of Oceanic art, but the real treasure is this somewhat-hidden sculpture garden. Just a short ways down the road from Stanford, right on El Camino Real, is the Palo Alto Trader Vic’s; while this Trader Vic’s pales in comparison to other TVs, it does house an impressive private collection of Papua New Guinea tikis and art, making a visit to both spots in one trip work well.

I’ve been a couple times now, and naturally, I’ve taken a bunch of pictures. You can see them at Humuhumu’s Life in Photos, or in a thread at Tiki Central.

• Art at Stanford [Humuhumu's Life in Photos]
• Tikis at Stanford U. (image heavy) [Tiki Central]
• Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, Palo Alto [Critiki]
• New Guinea Sculpture Garden @ Stanford [Art.Net]
• Cantor Arts Center

Aloha Hut mug painting by Flounder

Two original paintings by Flounder from his very popular Tiki Mug series are up for auction right now on eBay. The paintings are an amazing example of Flounder’s photorealistic skills, and pop beautifully against their black background. The two paintings up for sale are two of four that were commissioned by Primo Kimo for his now-gone Kahiki Moon restaurant in Burlington, Vermont. The two paintings are of an Aloha Hut mug and a green Harvey’s mug. Pictures truly do not do these paintings justice, they are amazing in person, and this is a unique opportunity to own a piece from this popular series of Flounder’s — all the original paintings in this series were sold long ago.

• Flounder Tiki Mug Painting “Harvey’s” SOLD OUT Beauty! [eBay]
• Flounder Tiki Mug Painting “AlohaHut” SOLD OUT Beauty! [eBay]
• Flounder Art
• Kahiki Moon, Burlington [Critiki]
• Astounding Tiki Art by Flounder [Humu Kon Tiki]

Volcano Goddess, by Nicole Steen

Xeni at Boing Boing linked to these swell tarted-up dishwashing gloves, by Nicole Steen. There are a few tikified gloves, the ones pictured here are “Volcano Goddess,” others include “Blue Hawaii,” “Tiki Nights” and “Ukulele Lady.” These are all sold out, but Steen will create a custom pair for you for $75. These gloves aren’t suitable for use, and are meant only to be framed and hung — these are for the girl with the ultimate lovely hula hands, who has someone else to do the dishes for her.

• Dirty Dishes [The Tart Gallery]

Crazy Al’s Tiki #3, King Tiki

This fall, a Ten Year Retrospective of Crazy Al’s tiki works will be held at La Luz de Jesus gallery in Los Angeles. It takes place on Friday, October 13, and there will be a commemorative mug of Crazy Al’s tiki #3, King Tiki (pictured to the right). Seeing Crazy Al’s early tikis helps one understand just how excellent an artist Crazy Al is — he was producing detailed, balanced, gorgeous tikis right out of the gate. His recent masterpiece, “Tiki Lee Tree,” is five tikis in one: Tikis #107 through #111. As mentioned earlier, it’s on the cover of the latest Tiki Magazine, and the tikis’ owner has just shared pictures of it in its home. When he’s not busy carving tikis, he’s engaged in any number of other creative tiki endeavors: mug design, singing in the band APE, or working on the decor of a new tiki bar (like Hale Tiki, Kona Club and Puka Bar). My personal favorite thing about Crazy Al is that he’s a dancin’ fool. He’s truly talented.

Before the October La Luz show, Crazy Al’s Ten Year Retrospective will also be shown in August at the previously mentioned Long Beach Tiki Fest, and at Bird in San Francisco (details TBA).

• Over Ten Years of Tiki’ing [Tiki Mania]
• Crazy Al’s Tiki Mania
• Crazy Al’s Tiki #1 [Tiki Mania]
• Crazy Al’s Tiki #2 [Tiki Mania]
• Crazy Al’s Tiki #3 [Tiki Mania]
• Tiki Hideaway (featuring Crazy Al’s “Tiki Lee Tree”)
• Mug Designer: Crazy Al Evans [Ooga-Mooga]
• APE [Tiki Mania]
• Latest Issue of Tiki Magazine [Humu Kon Tiki]
• Long Beach: 6th Annual Tiki Beach Fest [Humu Kon Tiki]

Otto von Stroheim’s showcase of tiki in modern art will have its third incarnation in Seattle this fall. The two previous shows, 2004’s Tiki Art Now and 2005’s Tiki Art Two, took place in San Francisco’s Shooting Gallery. This year, the show is headed north to Kirsten Anderson’s celebrated Roq La Rue gallery in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. I went to Roq la Rue frequently when I lived in Seattle; Belltown’s Lava Lounge and ‘Ohana are within stumbling distance, in case you want to make a tiki crawl during the evening. The Roq la Rue website has the opening date as September 8, 2006, while Crazy Al’s website has it opening on September 15 — I’ll update this post with the actual date once I find it out.

UPDATE — Thanks, Kirsten! The shindig’s happening on September 15.

• Roq la Rue Gallery
• Lava Lounge, Seattle [Critiki]
• ‘Ohana, Seattle [Critiki]