Tatau: Marks of Polynesia
until July 4th, 2022
at the Bishop Museum
I like to think we as human beings are works of art… in progress. We project our life’s story through many mediums and the human body being the most immediate, is no exception. Body art and modification are ancient forms of expression and the Bishop Museum is offering a glimpse of one particular Polynesian tradition popular here in Hawai’i.
Tattooing has long been held as not just a practice in art but also a way to tell stories through art, through the intimate painting of one's body. Samoa's tatau is one of the world's most distinct tattoo traditions. It is an indigenous art form dating back 2,000 years, and has played a pivotal role in the preservation and propagation of Samoan culture.
In Samoa, tufuga ta tatau (master tattoo artists) are granted high status in society and acquiring tatau is considered a powerful affirmation of national identity, particularly for young men, for whom it is an important rite of passage.
This exhibition is an opportunity to learn what tatau signifies in Samoan culture, and how it helps Samoans and other Polynesians living abroad stay connected to their identity and heritage.
Tatau: Marks of Polynesia is organized by the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California, and is supported in part, by Mariko Gordon and Hugh Cosman. This exhibition is curated by Takihiro "Ryudaibori" Kitamura. Exhibit photography is by John Agcaoili.
ADMISSION:
Members: Free
Adults: $24.95
Seniors (65+): $21.95
Youth (4–17): $16.95
Children (3 and under): Free
Children age 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
LOCATION:
J.M. Long Gallery
WEBSITE: https://www.bishopmuseum.org/tatau/
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