This is the work of Schubert Pana Santos who can be seen above lying among his many likenesses. Named by his father after the composer, he much prefers to be called Shu. He had a mold made from his face and has done a truckload of porcelain castings from it. His father is Samoan and his mother is from a particular tribe known in the Philippines. He does tribal carvings on his masks based on his ancestral background. A fellow worshipor of the Kiln God, Shu has since moved on to the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. Look him up, buy some Shu(s).
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Aren’t they beautiful?
One can never have enough shu’s.
These shu’s are guaranteed to fit . . . Shu.
Did you take the photo of the artist and his masks? I like it very much.
these are fabulous, but i fear the perils and expense of buying imported shu’s via internets…
Eggy!
Hiker, most women I know already have to many shu’s.
Vetti, I agree, buy home grown merchandise:
http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html
Shu tried making masks off of other people. They weren’t the same as a Shu. Something about the combination of the roundness of his face along with the egg shape form it creates that make these heads so appealing. I’m partial to the white head on the upper photo.
Also Shu has the most beautiful hair to grace a human. It’s thick cartoon blue/black hair. I felt compelled to throw that in.
AH: Well said. I wish I had one or two or three or….
Jean: Yes I did take the photos. He had brought all the Shus in for a critique. I happen to have my camera ready so i took some portfolio shots for him. I had him standing next to his work. He kept sticking his neck out for the photos which seemed odd. I finally asked him why and he told me in polynesian culture puffing up your face and neck was a sign of strength. I told him in this culture sticking your neck out was asking to get your head cut off. He laughed.
Vetti: I don’t blame you. It does help to see and touch them. Along with possessing great beauty, they’re also very tactile.
Mid-Town-G: Is that the kind of thing you tell your European collectors?
Anyone else want to weigh in on Shu? I’d like to know your opinion.
well… ah… no… but… ah…
I met Shu a couple years ago. He was recommended to me to do some clean up work on a bronze bra. I dropped off and picked it up from his house. Good thing to know he’s in Oakland, I guess I can take him off my art help list. He’s a nice guy and that’s a good school. I hope he does well.
PA, You really want my opinion?
they are beautiful. i’ll take a dozen
Wow, those are cool.
A little off topic, but pacific islanders are interesting people. I worked with this guy once who was from Tonga. Giant fellow, but sweet and gentle as they come, softspoken.
He was very proud of his heritage, and told anyone who asked, “We are known as the nightmare of the Pacific.”
Mid-Town-G:
A. thought so
B. ah..no
Beck: don’t write him off just yet. Rumor has it he may have returned to the area. I hope not
Mary: Do I get a finders fee?
Laurie: They’re especially effective when you see them arranged in a group
AH: I live for off topic comments. You might have noticed that my best fall under that heading. Check out artist Jeffry Vallance. He did a cultural exchange with the King of Tonga.
http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detail/program_id/211
Watch the video to the right. He talks about it