Donella Vitale “Dancing Girl 1”
On the weekend of October 6th through 9th, La Luz de Jesus will be celebrating the 21st anniversary of the “Art of Tiki Show” with an exhibition curated by Otto Von Stroheim, “founder of the pioneering Tiki Magazine and co-founder of Tiki Oasis, the largest and longest-running Polynesian Pop festival in the world.”
The two-part show features art from the modern tiki revival, with over 30 of “Today’s Top Tiki Artists,” including Jeffery Vallance, Shag, Donella Vitale, Derek Yaniger, Mookie Sato, and Ken Ruzic. Many of these artists have been featured in various “Art of Tiki” shows throughout the years.
In another section, The Art of Tiki: No False Idols exhibition will feature the world’s first public offering of original, mid-century Tiki décor and artifacts. Commercial carvings, furniture, hanging décor, and many more rare items will be on sale, all originating from a single private collection. Items from such tiki meccas as Trader Vic’s, Kona Kai and Kon Tiki will be available, as well as pieces from renowned artists including Leroy Schmaltz, Barney West, William Westenhaver, Jim Casey, Milan Guanko, Richard Ellis and Andres Bumatay.
In conjunction with La Luz de Jesus Press and Last Gasp Books, the exhibition will open on October 6th along with a book release and signing party for “Art of Tiki: No False Idols,” starting at 8pm. The book traces the art of mid-century Polynesian Pop through today’s Tiki Revival. “Art of Tiki” authors Sven Kirsten, and Otto Von Stroheim, will be present at the event.
