Vintage Photo Friday

This Saturday there's an art opening at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood, Tiki Farm 10th Anniversary. The artists at Tiki Farm have been creating new and reproducing classic tiki mugs and other Polynesian Pop items for the past 10 years. This should be an excellent opening with lots of people-watching possibilities! Even though it may be raining and cold, you'll see plenty of people wearing their summer tiki ensembles!

Tiki became popular in the U.S. after World War II when many service men came back from exotic locales in the South Pacific. Even though it was war time, the Island fever must have bitten them. (along with a few mosquitoes). Once Hawaii became a State in 1959, the pop tiki craze spread like wildfire across the mainland. My own Dad used to carve tiki masks and figurines for our home. I remember many backyard luaus too. This fit right in with the mid-century, modern design craze.

The Luau Restaurant, Beverly Hills

Two of the main tiki artists of the 50's, 60's, 70's and today are Leroy Schmaltz and Bob Van Oosting of Oceanic Arts in Whittier. They designed and implemented the tiki decor for many Polynesian style restaurants of the era (The Luau, The Islander, Don the Beachcomber and more). Leroy and Bob are still carving and designing tiki decor for movies, television, shows hotels and restaurants during this resurgence of the style.

Bob's & Leroy's Tiki Mugs @ Ocean Arts

Long Live Tiki!