'What Makes Your TIKI Happy?' - group exhibition Aug.-Sept., 2012
⬇ Press Release ⬇
...About the Show...
What Makes Your TIKI Happy? Group Exhibition | Aug./Sept. 2012 Elroy Artspace @ The Original | 300 SW 6th (Downtown PDX) Opening Reception – (First) Thursday, August 2nd, 5-9pm
Elroy Artspace Gallery Features Third Annual Tiki / Polynesian Pop Fine Art Group Show “What Makes Your TIKI Happy?” Opening on August’s First Thursday Artwalk and Featured in Tiki Kon 2012
Portland, OR (July, 2012) — Elroy Artspace gallery is pleased to announce What Makes Your TIKI Happy?, our third annual group exhibition of ‘Tiki Style’ fine art.
This year’s theme is all-about what the Tiki/Polynesian Pop genre was created to facilitate: FUN! So in this show we get to see the artistic interpretations/answers to the question posed the invited artists: “What Makes YOUR Tiki Happy?” Maybe it's Hula Girls, or Mermaids, or Kustom Cars, or Tiki Architecture, or Beaches, or Booze, or Coconut Bras, or, or, or...
And as an homage to one of the Tiki Art o’hana’s “silent patriarchs” - Munktiki’s Paul Neilsen - included in each piece of art is some imagery of his smiling "Hapi Tiki" – the custom mug he created for Tiki Kon 2012, Portland’s own ‘Tiki Weekender’ celebrating it’s 10th anniversary on the first weekend of August! (www.TikiKon.com)
Again this year, the group show features some of the biggest names in the Tiki Art world along with Portland artists old and new to the genre!
"What Makes Your TIKI Happy" will enjoy another FUN and HUGE opening at our gallery host The Original Dinerant! And once again we are proudly featured as a stop on Tiki Kon’s Sunday “Home Bar Tour”, as well.
Oregon artists: Allison Bratt, Ben Burch, Chris Young, Chris Haberman, Jonathon Hill-Jacquard, Joshua Duangan, Keith Tucker, Rob Kramer, Tripper Dungan, Mark Randall and Brian Bloodgood– Artists from the Tiki coasts and Beyond: Tiki Ray, Amy Swenson, Anthony Carpenter, Bamboo Ben, Bosko, Doug DoRr, Zoey Stevens, Greg Reyes, James McLeod, Joe Vitale, John Mulder142, Ken Pleasant, Wendy Cevola, Dawn Frasier, Sam Gambino, Bob ‘Tiki Hana’ Ho, Doug Horne, Robert Jimenez, Susannah Mosher, Eric October, Ken Ruzic, Philippe Tilikete, Tiki Tony, Scott Aicher, Kirby Fleming, Thomas Fernandez, Mark ‘Tiki Topes’ Thompson, and Japan's Mookie Sato!
Artwork in the 'ScooTiki: Mods & Gods' show:
...all works are much more vibrant than the pics here on the website...
*Hover over or click on pictures for details. Contact Joe@ElroyArt.com for purchase or info.
Frog Island Tikis (Portland, OR)
...Artist Chris Young started carving tikis in 2000 after a trip to Maui. He love and appreciates Polynesian culture, but rather than follow traditional ways, he imbues his own 'rather twisted views' on the matter. Chris builds each tiki with a protective edge to watch over the owner's well-being. Most of them are of redwood or cedar, but his brother-in-law Jimbo sometimes brings him excellent palm from California. He starts each tiki with a chainsaw and then really get into them with chisels, files, and knives. Chris says that he's read that the ONLY way to breath life into an idol is through use of hand tools, but knows that if primitive man had access to a chainsaw - he would have used one!
Tripper Dungan (Portland, OR)
Tripper Dungan is an artist, 3D painter, sound sampler musician, singer, animator, filmmaker, and shadow puppeteer producing art in Portland, Oregon’s Cartoon Bungalow. Tripper is currently working on his masterpiece; his residence, the Cartoon Bungalow, where it all comes together with strange and silly music, prehistoric cartoons, and an environment that hosts the unraveling of minds by encouraging exaggerated smiles at Wow Wee Zow Wee events with the Junk Town artists. This is the spot in which Tripper works on his paintings, shadow puppet shows, and where you will probably find him today.
"Long Tiki Walks on the Beach", Acrylic on Jig-shaped Wood, $280
Joshua Dunagan (Portland, OR)
Joshua Dunagan was born in Hollywood, Ca. on Halloween Night and grew up in an artistic household (Paul and Miles Nielsen of Munktiki are members of his immediate family). Joshua has a deep love for all forms of artistic expression, and has drawn, painted, Tattooed and played music most his life. A veteran of the California Punk rock scene, he recently relocated to Portland and has fallen in love with the burgoening Tiki scene here. He paints primarily in acrylic and oil.
Anthony Carpenter (Grand Rapids, MI)
Anthony Carpenter was born. He then grew up. Now he is a freelance artist and illustrator...
"Space Wahine! in 'The Hapi-est Tiki n' Mars'", 14" x 7.75", Acrylic on Wood Panel, $400
Philippe Tilikete (Los Angeles, CA)
Born in Paris (France) and now a native to California, Philippe is an animation artist who has worked for over a decade at various studios such as Dreamworks, Disney, Cartoon Network and more. His passion for the Tiki world and Polynesian culture has led him to produce works for Tiki Magazine, Tiki Farm and Tribal Tattoo studios...
"Jungle Venus", 7"x5", $SOLD, framed
Bamboo Ben (Huntington Beach, CA)
Southern California artist Bamboo Ben has carved-out his everlasting signature in today’s Tiki movement by creating tropical paradises for motion picture sets, directors, musicians, corporate presidents, restaurants (including Frankie's Tiki Room in Las Vegas, the Kona Club in Oakland, and the venerable Forbidden Island) and private residences; Bamboo Ben will go down in history as “the foremost Tiki bar designer and builder worldwide” (writes the Los Angeles Times.) Bamboo Ben lives with his wife Vicki and his sons, Jack and Blake, and works out of his humble studio and store front in Huntington Beach, CA.
"Happy 23", 14"x6", $75
Benjamin Burch (Portland, OR)
Benjamin Burch's application of skills as a fine art painter, 2D animator and illustrator traipse the line of their individual disciplines, providing for razor-sharp images of his always-fun subjects! His childhood and enduring passion for the diverse works of Charley Harper and the 'Schoolhouse Rock' animations speak to the ultimate direction of Benjamin's career in art.
Mookie Sato (Osaka, JAPAN)
Osaka, Japan'sMookie Sato has a great passion and love for polynesian-pop, Tiki culture, and Mid-century art - and his works are strongly inspired by them. Mookie won a prize at Mai-Kai Polynesian Art Competition and he's made some event posters for Cairns Ukulele Festival and the Hukilau. He is a rising art star in both Japan as well as in the USA, and Elroy is proud to show him on our walls!
"Tiki Hapi Island", Acrylic on Canvas, 36"x12", $SOLD!, framed
"Hepcat", Black Velvet, 10"x8", $340, framed
Zoey Stevens (Laguna Niguel, CA)
Having done and still doing commission work for A-list celebrities; live painting performances attended by thousands of folks; and 20+ years of making beautiful original art fearlessly in varying genres and styles culminates in Zoey Stevens' career-defining moment: being a part of Elroy's "What Makes Your TIKI Happy?" show! Zoey is groovy!
"Tiki Trading Card #22", 13" X 11", Acrylic on Wood Panel, $SOLD!
Mark 'Tiki Topes' Thompson (Whitmore Lake, MI)
Mark 'Tiki Topes' Thompson hails from the loins of the Motor City and his cross-subculture art incorporates the location-based influences of Hot-rod, Pinstriping, Flyin' Eyes, Big Daddy Weirdos and of course TIKI! With no Tiki bars in the area to saddle-up to, Mark built his own - then had to make more Tiki art to fill it up! A Professional illustrator, Mark's clients include the Detroit Tigers, Mattell and of course an auto-industry one in Lincoln Mercury.
"Horrror Movies w/Friends", 20"x16", Acrylics on Canvasboard, $425, framed
Wendy Cevola (Sacremento, CA)
People find joy in many places, and while searching for her ‘art joy’ Wendy Cevola had worked in many mediums from oxygen acetylene torch welding to lost wax casting…leading her to finally to find the most joy in working clay and painting. She hope to share her achievements in these areas through public presentations of her art…and Elroy is proud to provider her one of many chances to do it! Find more of Wendy as ‘DanLovesTikis’ on TikiCentral.com
"Night Time Friends", 12" x 12", Acrylic on Canvas, $SOLD!
Joe Vitale (NYC, NY)
NYC-bred Joe Vitale is a design fabricating, sculpting and scenic-art creating stalwart! His Tiki cred is unquestionable, and chances are you already own some of his art - a mug or several designed by him or his lovely wife Donella!
"Nohie", Mixed Media, 22"x13"x4", $750
Sam Gambino (Everywhere, Groovy)
Sam grew up with kustom kulture art as the son of an original 1956 Detroit, Michigan pinstriper. He has a great love and appreciation for vintage ad art; so much so that much of his art is sometimes mistaken to be 40 or 50 years old! He's created comic panels for King Features Syndicate's New Breed comic strip and shown his work in gallery art shows inside and outside of the United States. His subject matter many times includes campy, vintage and kitschy cult characters - usually with a different spin than one would expect to see with these personalities. He designed the Sam's Shrunken Head and Sam's Dinky Noggin mugs by Tiki Farm; the 2007 tiki mug for the legendary Sam's Seafood Restaurant in Huntington Beach, California; and Mort, Maury and Merv - the Bowling Moai Brothers mugs and decanter by Tiki Farm. On any given day, you can find him combing junk stores, thrift shops and flea markets. He seeks inspiration by collecting unique relics and old instructional books anywhere they can be found.
"Hapi Tiki", 12" x 7", Sign Painter's 1-Shot Enamel on Board in Bamboo Tray Frame, $SOLD!
Thomas Fernandez (San Diego, CA)
Thomas Fernandez comes from San Diego, CA. His art is strongly influenced by mid-century trash, Polynesian-pop culture, skateboard art, 60's Halloween and monster relics, finks and weird-o's, and a handful of other kitschy artifacts. Most of his inspirations come from digging through swap meets, thrift stores, and estate sales. Working in a handful of medium - ranging from relief prints, to vacu-forming monster masks, to carving Tikis - Thomas is currently focusing on painting with acrylics. When he’s not painting, he can be found pursuing one of his other creative outlets, whether it be tattooing, or playing in his band Los SeaFinks - Thomas is always doing something creative…
"Booze!", Acrylic on Canvas, 41" x 24", $SOLD!, framed
Bob 'Tiki Hana' Ho (The OTHER Tiki Coast)
Bob is rad. So is his art!
Bosko (SoCal)
Bosko Hrnjak was raised in Southern California where his aestetic was influenced by the San Gabriel valley and its mid-century splendor. He earned his B.F.A. from the Art Center College of Design and today is best known for his Polynesian inspired sculptures, ceramics and design work. Book of Tiki and Tiki Modern author Sven Kirsten calls Bosko “The Pioneer of the Tiki Revival.” His other acclaimed artistic works include paintings, sculpture, photography, three dimensional assemblages, musical concepts and a modern wood art line inspired by the legendary Witco Company; he's been featured in numerous books, newspaper and magazine articles - radio and television interviews, documentaries and short films; and his work has been shown and featured in the finest genre galleries in the world...
" Maori Sun & Sea ", Painting and Wood Carving Wood Panel, framed, $SOLD!
Scott Aicher (Los Angeles, CA)
Scott Aicher is a SoCal artist who grew up influenced by the like of Mad Magazine's Don Martin, Charles Schultz, Norm Sanders (from "Wacky Pack" and Batman Gum Cards) Underground artists Rick Griffin, Robert Crumb, Raymond Pettibon, Gary Panter and many more, Scott built his style and adds a touch of his own psychedelic love to all of his work. Scott lives in a San Pedro cottage house with his wife Sharon and 2 small dogs. He enjoys art books, records, toys, playing guitar, going to flea markets, sippin' on a steaming cup of coffee and loves a good hug!
"Aloha all nite/Tiki everyday!", 12" x 9", Acrylic on Canvas, $400
Alli Bratt (Portland, OR)
Working mostly in water-based media such as watercolor, acrylic, and ink, Alli’s work is primarily very intricate, detailed, and abstract, often borrowing shapes and lines from the natural world. She strives for her work to exemplify the connection of all things - the fluidity of nature, and the tangled web we’re all part of. A Portlander, she is originally from San José, CA, and obtained a BFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
"Nature Makes My Tiki Happy", Watercolor, Acrylic & Ink on Wood, 7.75" x 5", $90
Ken Pleasant (Mt. Vernon, WA)
Ken Pleasant, AKA 'Keigs' has been carving for years, having learned the art from his grandfather-in-law William (Bill) Westenhaver - the creative director, owner and artist of the venerable Witco Decor company. Focusing his love of Tiki and chainsaw carving to resurrect the beloved style and distinct dark wood decor from Witco's reign of 'Modern Primitivism' from the late 50's through its closure in 1977, Ken creates and carves with the help of his wife Heather his own designs, modified Witco designs, and even some reproductions.
Doug Horne (San Diego, CA)
Says Doug Horne: "Back when I was a little bambino I knew I wanted to be an artist. My school notebook was covered front to back with my drawings. Being raised in a creative environment fed the flame. I guess you could say art is in my blood." His work reflects his interests in mid-century artifacts, deco style, tiki lounge and atomic futurism, among other related genres. Images of past pop culture mixed with current day pop culture provide an endless source of inspiration and possibilities for Doug, and he says that "this creative energy is what I thrive on and live for." Horne graduated from the Colorodo institute of art with a background in graphic design and illustration. After working for various ad agencies and in-house art departments he yearned to be painting again, so quit working 'for the man' to pursue painting full time. That was over 10 years ago, and thankfully for us all he's never looked back!
"Dig That Crazy Art!", by Doug Horne - Pencil on Panel, 17" x 12", $680
Robert Jimenez (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Robert Jimenez was raised in Brooklyn NY, and a love of the drawing and comic artworks of Gil Kane, Jim Aparo, Neal Adams and then later George Peréz and John Byrne led him towards a career in the arts. Illustrating, designing and animating for broadcast television, he also maintains websites which showcase his artwork. www.tikitower.com which features his Tiki art and www.zerostreet.com where you will find a sample of all the work he does. Robert Jimenez now lives in Pembroke Pines Florida with his wife and 2 daughters.
"Tiki In Reverb" by Robert Jimenez, 11"x14", Acrylic on Wood Panel, Framed, $SOLD
Rob Kramer (Portland, OR)
A transplanted "Jersey Guy" now based in Portland, painter, illustrator and graphic designer Rob Kramer has been creating art his entire life. Growing up as a pop culture junkie, his steady diet of Wacky Packs, superhero comics and sugar-coated cereals is very evident in his work. Throw into that mix his love of pin-up art, classic cars, Tiki and Saturday morning cartoons, and you have the influences that inspire Rob's pencil to move. His paintings have hung in galleries in Portland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Rob's illustration work has recently appeared in Antarctic Press comics, License! magazine and a tee-shirt graphic for FoodCartsPortland.com.
Rob Kramer - "Big Daddy Munk", 12" x 12", Acrylic on Maple - $250
Mark "Bbert Goo" Randall (Portland, OR)
With a love of Pop, Dada, Surrealism and advertising imagery, Mark Randall's artwork under the pseudonym Bbert Goo can be anti-described as among the Fluxus genre. Rather than making a statement, his art is a tactile survey of elements of those artists whose influence can be seen in it - including Magritte, Rosenquist, Cornell, Ernst, Warhol, Rauschenberg and of course, Calder. Mr. Randall hails from the Pacific NW, born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. He earned a BS in Art Education from the University of Oregon in 1978, and has been creating and selling his artwork ever since.
SOLD!
Amy Swenson (Redondo Beach, CA)
Redondo Beach, CA's Amy Swenson was born and raised in Minnesota's Twin Cities and earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts/Painting from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Enamored with the patterns and colors of Hawaiian shirts and the Tiki culturists who wear them, her paintings are a reflection them and inspired by vintage cocktails and Exotica music, as well.
"Hapi Still Life", 10" x 8", Acrylic on Hawaiian Shirt w/Swizzle Stick, $SOLD!
Brian Bloodgood (Portland, OR)
Portland artist Brian Bloodgood owns and runs Blue Mill Screen Print and Design. Brian has been doing art since his childhood in Cedar Rapids, IA. Bit by the Tiki bug in 2005 when he got married to his wife April in Oahu, HI, Brian continues creating it and art in many other forms, too...
Atomikitty AKA Susannah Mosher is a freelance illustrator & graphic designer in Los Angeles CA. In addition to her current work in the toy industry, she regularly exhibits her low brow, tiki & pin-up paintings in galleries throughout the country. When she is not busy painting and plotting, she collects big-eye art, coconut monkeys and dust bunnies.
" Daddy-O that beat is Bananas! " by Atomikitty - Acrylic on Wood Panel, 12" x 12" framed, $400
James McLeod (Carlsbad, CA)
James McLeod was raised on Long Island and started tattooing in 1991. He moved several years later to SoCal continuing his tattooing career until forced to retire in 2004 when losing his eyesight. After numerous surgeries James was fortunate enough to regain about 15% of the vision in one eye and learned how to draw and paint all over again - thankfully for us all!
"Catch of the Day", Acrylic & Varnish on Cold Press Paper, 14" x 11", $400, framed
Doug DoRr (Orange, CA)
Doug is rad!
Eric October (Los Angeles, CA)
Eric October graduated from UCLA with a BA in Fine Art and currently works as a freelance artist and graphic designer. Bitten by the tiki bug, the main focus of his work for the past several years has been exploring the rich and fertile Tiki Culture scene. Endlessly inspired by this world, he's currently branching out into ceramics in addition to the painting, sculpting and tiki-doll making he already does. Eric has exhibited work in numerous galleries throughout the west coast, and boy, is he having the time of his life!
Eric October, "My Isle of Tiki Dreams", 11" x 14", acrylic on Canvas, $SOLD!
Ken 'Kinny' Ruzic (Orange, CA)
Ken has been painting for over 20 years ,with over a hundred exhibitions both domestically and internationally. Besides that, he has also appeared in dozens of magazines and has released mugs, t-shirts, self-published books and countless other odd products over the course of his career. With his ex-Marine discipline, Ken works non-stop in his Range, California studio, stopping only to hang a show (and to go potty.) Drawing from an abundance of curiosity, research, and a Midwestern upbringing his subject matter ranges from Polynesian/Melanesian art all the way to the machinations of modern society. It’s his drive to understand and communicete these ideals that assure Mr. Ruzic many lifetimes of subjects to tackle...
"The Happiest Hour", 20”x16”, Acrylic and Cel-vinyl on
One Dang-Dern Beautiful Piece of Wood!, $SOLD
Greg Reyes (SoCal)
Greg Reyes (a.k.a. Tiki G) is an artist that specializes in painting pop-culture, poly-pop and related subjects dear to his heart, soul and mind – specifically for the young-at-heart audience. His art is a unique combination of raw talent, historical perspective and a dash of satire. Greg has exhibited is art in southern California galleries and his work is in personal collections world-wide, but he still maintains relative obscurity outside his social circle by design. This is his first gallery appearance outside his native California – and this appearance shall forever be remembered as his point of no return!
"Happy at Lenape", 20" x 16", Acrylic on Canvasboard, $200, framed
Keith Tucker (Portland, OR)
Over two decades of living and creating art in Hawaii has driven Keith Tucker to reflect upon Tiki art, and he's applying to it more than twenty years as a professional animation and Live action storyboard artist. Keith has also worked as an Illustrator, and also draws comic books . His animation career found Keith working for the major studios like Steven Spielgberg's Amblin Entertainment, Disney, Warner Brothers, Marvel, Universal, Hana Barbera, Filmation and a long list of others, drawing characters like Pinky and the Brain, X-men, Spiderman, Star Trek, Robo cop, Conan, He-Man, Shera, Transformers, Gi. Joe, Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles, Addams Family, on and on...
Dawn Frasier (Seattle, WA)
A self proclaimed Neo-Primitive Outsider, Dawn Frasier has polished the look of her ‘Sophista-tiki’ Originals for over 20 years. Working in watercolors and acrylic, “grade-school-1962 meets vintage travel agency reception area” describes the flavor of her art; infused with misty combinations of blues, greens, browns and the juxtaposition of primitive and modern influences. Dawn has designed and manufactured vintage-style party favors, decorated MCM homes and created award winning art cars, too. Shown in most major Tiki shows, Dawn’s paintings have been featured in Taboo: The Art of Tiki, and Tiki Art Now 3.
"The Shipwreck of the S.S. Nui Nui", 16" x 12", Acrylic on Wood Panel, $SOLD!, custom-framed
Jonathon Hill-Jacquard (Portland, OR)
Immersing himself where loud rockabilly and punk music nearly tear down the walls, this PDX artist toils over two or three projects at a time, in addition to his company Jugtown Vinyl. Born is Alaska,Jonathon Hill-Jacquard constructs an assortment of work, recently composed of wood and vinyl appliqué. His art is symbolic imagery and text to document his environment, experiences, and the nouns of life that he encounters. When not making art, Jonathon dreams of joining a biker gang in a post apocalyptic wasteland, subverting the robot race, wooing over tattooed ladies and staring longingly at 60's muscle cars.
Kirby Fleming (SoCal)
Kirby Fleming is a SoCal Artist/carver well known in the Tiki community for his unique spin on Tiki Art - including hand carved Tikis, masks, pendants, wood mosaics, and paintings. His work is collected by Tiki folks worldwide, and is his art can be seen in Oldest surviving Tiki Bar in Los Angeles ,California The Tonga Hut, and also at Disneyland's Trader Sam's. He Is also The owner and builder of the Most Famous "Home Tiki Bar" in all the land: The Rumpus Room, welcoming The Tiki Ohana over for a drink every wednesday for the past 3 years!
" Skulls Make Me Happy! ", Carved wood, $SOLD!
'Tiki Ray' Kieffer (Yorba Linda, CA)
Tiki Ray's makes carvings that are all original and free-hand styled. The faces and symbols on his carvings and other art pieces are designed and crafted in the traditional style, for authentic island look and feel – a level of devotion found even with this unique piece!
"The Whistler", Polished Metal, Custom-framed, $350
