In these 23 years, every trip to Tahiti has always felt as if somewhere in the eight hours, across the ocean in the middle of the dark night, we had gone through some kind of hole in the sky into another universe, high above the clouds, lit by the moonlight. Humorously, due to our Tahitian croissant overindulgence, I have fancifully referred to this event as the “flying croissant.”Although these delicious croissants became a very suitable metaphor for this other universe, their overindulgence also comes with a very lethargic after effect, usually “Beneath the Palms.” In this suite, consisting of four new prints, titled, “Beneath The Palms”, the croissant is once again used as a metaphor for several of the addicting, thriving characteristics of this other “flying croissant” universe.                    

“The Love Croissant”, This work is meant to reference the incredible love of the French Polynesian people towards family, friends, and visitors from all over the world. Unconditional love, no matter what nationality, race, or religion.

“The Symphony Croissant”

Very often, after the croissant morning feast, there is nothing more enchanting than a kayak ride to the nearby small islands, consisting of hundreds of palm trees, for their glorious symphonies. There is something very soothing and mesmerizing when laying in a kayak, in a foot of crystal clear water listening to the tradewinds orchestrate the sounds of the whipping, waving palm fronds.                                        

“The Sparkling Croissant”  In 1929, Henri Matisse, decided to take a two month trip to Tahiti looking for new ideas at a moment in his life when the artist was feeling old and uninspired (he was 60). He would later, in 1935, create a painting, titled, “Window In Tahiti, and wrote that Tahiti was “too bright,” and that he only found “lethargy” there. Well, I would agree that Tahiti is very bright, as the sparkling lagoons look as if they were a mirror covered in small diamonds. But, it is that intense brightness that allows one with fresh eyes to see even deeper into the gaps between what we all see and offers a way of seeing even more. Also, after finishing an entire large plate of French Polynesian croissants, a state of sleepiness is quite natural and truly rewarded by lying in a beach chair “beneath the palms.”

“The Chocolate Vanilla Croissant”                            

The vanilla, grown in Tahiti, is regarded at the highest standards by chefs around the world. It is infused in many of their recipes and particularly produces a very special unique flavor in their croissants. Of course, I am always finding inspiration in the landscape and simplicity of Tahiti, but was in complete ecstasy when I experienced their freshly made dark chocolate sweetly together with their island vanilla croissant, existing in delicious harmony. This chocolate vanilla croissant is possibly a perfect metaphor for the Tahitian’s total disregard of strict divisions in all living things. Although, it is still an irresistible tasty plate with all of the seductions of overindulgence, eventually sinking one into another lethargy “beneath the palms,” bathing in a vital environment of simplicity, energy, and light (the other “flying croissant “universe).

-Tom Everhart 2023­­­­