The Scarab Family Tree, 1928
Artist:   Paul Honore (1885-1956)
Medium:   Oil on Wood
Location:   Second floor lounge above fireplace

An entrancing visual depicting the various artistic aspects found at the Scarab Club.   This mural was designed and executed in 1928.   The key below will help a viewer understand the meaning behind its many evocative images.

Written by member Su Chai, 1928

Rooted in the memory of Bob Hopkin, nurtured by the skilled hand of Paul Honore, the Scarab family tree spreads its ladened and inviting branches over the fireplace in the lounge of the new clubhouse. Working with reds and blues on the bare board walls, the very knots of the planks have been made to take their places in the sturdy trunk. Protective roots encircle the pipe and jug and the pot of brushes, where one can sit at ease looking over the endless sea into the rays of the rising sun. Paul declares that he is not to be accused of nature faking, but the tree does bear a strange assortment of fruit.

Slightly green, in a quiet mouldy way, the face of the immortal old master looks out benignly from the topmost boughs, while next to him is the tri-colored escutcheon crossed by the bar sinister of the young gentleman of questionable origin. In spite of the bar there is a promise in the rising sun crest. Craftsmen have their symbol in the hammer-holding hand next to the immortal. The artists says there is no significance in the fact that the hammer is about to descend upon the wreath and scroll of the honorary members. Scythe and hour-glass give the life members hope for long and pleasant fellowship with the Scarabs, while between them and the honorary members the eye of the lay member is glued to the keyhole.

Low on the bending branch at the other side of the tree is the mask of drama beside the score of music. An open book betrays the literary members, for it is not turned beyond the A and B. A printer's form and a blueprint give the graphic arts and architecture their places in the scheme. The thumb of a sculptor adds, in the ultimate gesture, the finishing touch to a face of clay. Out of town members are remembered over all the globe, which hangs undisturbed near a swarm of winged insects. Paul says these may be busy bees working in harmonious cooperation, but the nest looks dangerously like a hornet's.

Broadly and comprehensively, in this central panel, Paul Honore has brought all of the Club together, but on the beams of the room different phases of the Club's life are interpreted by different members. In the course of time it will be made clear what was intended and what was wrought by each of these songs of the prophet who said to Elisha: "LET US TAKE THENCE EVERY MAN A BEAM, AND LET US MAKE A PLACE THERE, WHERE WE MAY DWELL!"

All Images and Content Copyright 2008 The Scarab Club 217 Farnsworth, Detroit, MI 48202 Phone 313.831.1250