It’s a wonder how much a city can influence a childhood, inspire an artist, and even form an entire career path. One’s neighborhood can inspire, propel, and even create an entire movement, lasting for decades and altering a culture.

Though known today as an Escondido artist, tiki object designer Bosko Hrnjak got his initial inspiration as a kid in the 1960s and 1970s, moving around San Gabriel Valley.

“From the back seat of my parents ‘64 Impala, I was amazed by the nightly drive past all of the mid-century architectural landmarks,” Hrnjak states on his website. “By day, peddling my bike, it seemed quite natural to see huge Tiki Gods, waterfalls, and volcanoes in front of A-frames.”

Tiki culture began in the early 1930s and was on its way out by the mid 1970s. But before that could happen, it left a huge impression on the young artist. His art studies officially began while attending high school in Escondido. Before he went to school in Pasadena to further his studies of art, he consumed all art classes available at the nearby Palomar College, located in the neighboring San Marcos. But it was at the Art Center School of Design where Hrnjak learned not only about California artists who contributed to tiki culture, but also about tiki history.

Tiki mugs / Shutterstock

His fascination of the Californian style of the Polynesian artform grew, and one day by chance, he stumbled upon a pile of palm logs in a vacant lot. Taking some home, he created pole designs and his first mask. From there he went on to ceramics and mug designs, then burnt-wood carving styles after consulting Witco furniture creator William Westenhaver, who like Hrnjak, attended the Art Center School of Design in Pasadena.

Tiki culture experienced a revival in the 1990s, from trendy cocktails to paintings and vintage artwork from forgotten

hotels and bars, but it was Hrnjak who truly elevated the movement with his signature three-dimensional art, ceramic mugs, and wood-burned poles.

Today, Hrnjak is the star of “Bosko and the Rebirth of Tiki,” a 30-minute documentary about his tiki culture revival in Southern California. While he has been discussed in podcasts, showcased in books, and even made appearances in the occasional short film, this is the first time a Hollywood production will be dedicated to Bosko.

“Bosko is really a pioneer in the world of tiki and a true artist in every sense of the word,” Wilson told the San Diego Unio-Tribune. “A lot of people are now following in his footsteps.”

During his career thus far, Hrnjak has either designed or consulted on the architecture and aesthetic of over 50 tiki bars across the country. Little Italy’s False Idol is one of the places where his latest tiki pieces are displayed (and also one of his favorites). Additionally, Hrnjak was the first person to not only make tiki ceramics, but also bring back full sized tiki sculptures. He also was the first to create a tiki museum—The Kapu Tiki Room.

Tiki Bar / Shutterstock

“I hope people will get an understanding of who Bosko is, and why this was an art form that had pretty much died, and he figured out how to bring it back and keep it alive,” said director/editor Kurt Mattila in the San Diego Union-Tribune report.

The film will feature other names in tiki culture, such as cocktail specialist Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, historian and author Sven Kirsten, and Carlsbad resident and original Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump, who put his stamp on tiki culture at Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Crump had his own documentary in 2016 by Ken Kebow, a Vista filmmaker.

Escondido is known for its art scene, and it’s one of the best places in the county to absorb art and culture. It’s home to art studios, theaters, a concert hall for touring symphonies and jazz bands, a contemporary arts museum, and the Center for the Arts. Perhaps Central Escondido or the Old Escondido Historic District can serve as inspirations to future artists.

Though tiki art and culture can be found across the country, thriving with interest and wonder, its renewal really started due to the influence of a few cities in Southern California, and the passion of a San Diego County/Escondido artist. Bosko Hrnjak has truly left his mark with his tiki-inspired art not only in San Diego but also in Southern California and across the country.