Been working out in the yard doing what the better half is referring to as my "TIKI GARDEN". Just trying to have some fun in the yard with some palms, etc....... something a bit different up here in the rainy pacific northwest. Been trying to show her its possible to have a bit of paradise up here. Along with the palms of course a couple tikis have appeared, but curious if beyond all the carvings if there are any rock paintings (hieroglyphs) common to Polynesia. Pretty much struck out on a google search so figured I'd try the HAMB and its legions of TIKI afficianados.
hello, I am lead to believe (cya) that Tiki came from the native people of New Zealand. Maori (their name for their own people) carved Tiki out of stone or bone or maybe wood. Tiki have meaning that I don't know much about, even though I've lived in New Zealand all my life."Tiki culture" is a whole new/different thing, sort of a white mans (like me) enjoyment, celebration, or version of, pasific island cultre. Just saying this to help you with your search. And yes I'm probably wrong. cheers
the whole Tiki thing has progressed way past it's original cultural meanings and has become a genre within Kustom Kulture. What ever you do won't really have any cultural incorrectness so do whatever you feel will look good. if your looking for inspiration do a google search or check out the Art Archive on this very site. And once your done don't forget to post some pics!!
Here you go http://boneart.co.nz/meanings.htm im proud to say i have some Maori in me, my mom is from New Zealand. i was brought up wearing the fish hooks, manaia and other male symbols made of green stone, (punamu (sp?)) i was taught that the Maori tiki was a fertility symbol worn mostly by women, i beleive in these and have worn one of these sybmols my entire life......
The real tikis were representations of Polynesian gods. The Kapu system worked that if you broke a kapu, like walking in the path or shadow of royalty, you would probably be killed. Unless you got to a Place of Refuge. 99.9% of tikis now are tongue-in-cheek & have no real meaning "Tiki" is also slang for "male appendage"...
I say use a little "artistic license" and come up with some cool Tiki style primitive painting. No real rules in ones own Tiki Palace.Good Luck!
Pick up Sven Kirsten's "Book of Tiki" for some great reference material and artistic inspiration. I believe it is out of print, so try your local used bookstores.
Tiki as far as what we are exposed to is the polynesian Pop americanized take on traditional south seas art. Try tikicentral.com as was stated before. Do any type of design you feel like. it's all acceptable. Sven is a good friend of mine and has a new book out too Tiki Modern available on amazon .
I've seen many ancient petroglyphs all over the place, including the Caribbean and South Pacific. Here's some from Puerto Rico where I'm staying now. The government dug them up and put them in a park (?!?)...
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