Who Cares About Tiki Art ?
Tiki culture saw a rise in infl uence after WWII as American sailors returned home from combat in the Pacifi c . Post-WWII America saw the rise of the middle class and , with it , Polynesian tiki culture . On a casual analysis of mid-century America , it seems signifi cant that tiki culture symbolized freedom from the suburban sprawl and a sense of escapism for American vets as they acclimated to a postwar climate .
Scheidly has been creating tiki mugs for quite some time . His side gig might be interpreted as the typically woeful fi nancial situation of many artists . Yet , such isn ’ t the case in his life . Despite his addiction to hand paste , paint , and modeling clay at a young age , he managed to kick his habit and lead the life of a practicing artist without relying on a supplemental income .
Tiki mugs , design by Scott Sheidly , fabricated by Tiki Farm , San Clemente , Ca .
Tiki mugs , design by Scott Sheidly , fabricated by Tiki Farm , San Clemente , Ca .
So , why does he create tiki mugs ? Sensing a pattern of mostly unanswerable questions , I make the most of our interview . The takeaway ? He was a normal child , in the sense that he was actually weird as fuck . Years later , that quirkiness remains ; the proof is in The Pinks .
Orlando ’ s Art Scene , v . 1.5
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