In 1884, tattooing on the island of Marquesas was outlawed, leading to a dramatic decrease in the number of tattoo artists in this profession. By 1921, only one tattooist remained, and 38 plates of black and white drawings/photographs were collected. In the 1920s, the Hawaii Bishop Museum sponsored an expedition to Marquesas in an effort to save the art form and prevent it from becoming extinct, as well as to preserve traditional oral stories. This book offers a unique opportunity to explore the art of Marquesas tattooing and the accompanying stories and myths that accompany each tattoo. You'll gain an understanding of the cultural significance of Marquesas tattooing and the history that shaped it.
