Legend of Tattooing
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acrylic on paper
$1,100 with custom frame
© Copyright Ake Lianga 2004
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Legend of Tattooing | |
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acrylic on paper $1,100 with custom frame © Copyright Ake Lianga 2004
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| "Tattooing is a respected art form in the Polynesian traditions. This piece represents the story of the discovery of tattooing. In the legend, a tattoo god from the heavens came down to a village one night and met with the women of a tribe. The tattoo god was covered with beautiful tattoos and the women found this very attractive. The next morning, the men of the village heard the story and how the women were drawn to the tattoos. In order to gain the attention from the women, the men wanted to get tattoos too. The chief of the village declared that tattoos needed to be earned through competition before the winner could be adorned on the body. One of these competitions was to swim into the sea and wrestle with a shark. The symbols at the bottom of the piece are typical tattoo decorations adorned on the chest and face of men today. It is also known as a protection talisman for the chief or warrior during battle |