July 4 – 27: Brad Tiki Shark Parker Red Tiki Lounge

Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker “Red Tiki Lounge”
part of a two-person show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery

Damian Fulton and Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker
July 4-July 27, 2014
Artist Reception: Friday, July 4 8-11 PM
Featuring Live Performance
by The Insect Surfers at 9 PM
Sponsored by Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum

Online Gallery Preview to begin June 27

LaLuzBradParkerRedTikiLoungeLa Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 666-7667
www.laluzdejesus.com

Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker
“Red Tiki Lounge”

Brad Parker paints “Low Brow Art” about Modern Tiki Culture. He does so from the most remote land mass in the world: the Big Island of Hawaii. “When you live on an active volcano, you learn to make sacrifices.” The artist doesn’t mean throwing virgins into the volcano, but rather his move from the fast lane of Hollywood to the slower pace of the small seaside town of Kailua-Kona.

In doing so, Brad quickly became the king of Polynesian Pop Art, and his work is routinely selected by Hawaiian officials to represent Tiki culture to the world. His art is a staple in the surf world, where he’s partnered with Body Glove, and he’s had sell-out exhibitions in Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Dubai.

Parker’s “Red Tiki Lounge” combines the paint stroke of old Flemish masters with counter culture subject matter from a childhood of adoring comic books, cartoons, and Universal monster movies. This show features skate decks, beach towels, pencil sketches and paintings, and we’ll be celebrating July 4th with BBQ and a live band. Brad will be present at his opening reception to sign cards, calendars and prints.

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Brad Parker on his involvement in the “Keiki Surf for the Earth Event in Hawaii

During this Keiki Surf for the Earth (beach clean up and surf contest for kids under 14) “Save the “Pine Trees” surf beach spot for puvblic use and not resort development” event I got to meet a really nice old timer…. kind of a wise, respected, Hawaiian elder. Much to my surprise, we got into a a deep metaphysical dialog and discussion about my Tiki-Art, and why I had changed my life and was here, living on the active volcano called the Big Island, and why I was painting such things as “Tikis”. His name is Angel Pilago, he was the Councilman in the Big Island’s North Kona’s District 8 till he retired. Now, he acts in an unofficial, advisory role to such folks as Big Island surfer and Mayor Billy Kenoi and Hawaii Governor Neil Ambercrombie.

It was a real moment for me to hear years Hawaiian culture wisely expounded to me profoundly, thoughtful, and sincerely from this small, wizened old Hawaiian wizard, and why the island was important, – important to me, – and to me making da’ “Tiki-Art”! “Hmmmm! Yes…. “Tiki-Art” you shall be painting, yes. Yes.”

 

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