This wonderful book Polynesian Tattoo Today was created by Tricia Allen. Allen has an M.A. Degree in Cultural Anthropology and has a BA. in History / Art. She is also a Tattooist who was featured on the History Channel program The Works: Tattoos. She is also the author of a book called Tattoo Traditions of Hawaii.
Allen has kept Polynesian Tattoo Today very simple to navigate and enjoy. Although there is lots of information throughout the book, it is very much a pictorial book that can be picked up and randomly enjoyed. In the beginning, she gives a brief formal introduction to the traditional Polynesian and the Pan-Polynesian tattoo art form. The Indigenous artists range from, Marquesan, Tahitian, Rapanui, Tongan, Samoan, Maori, and Hawaiian. But there are some non-Polynesian artists that are featured in this book as well. Allen has chosen to approach the term Polynesian tattooist as someone who is very passionate and respectful of creating Polynesian tattoos. Having said that, most featured artists in this book are indigenous people.
The book is divided into two main sections; THE ART, and the FEATURED ARTISTS. Throughout these two main sections are tidbits of cultural information and also some really great story shares from the featured artists. I also found that there was a personable feel to the pages which I really liked. And the high-quality photographs are in colour and very beautiful.
One of the big takeaways I have gained from Allen’s message is that it is taboo to copy a Polynesian tattoo and it is considered to be offensive. Each design is very personal and unique to the person who wears it. So this got me thinking as to how it was possible to have so many people have completely unique or different motifs or designs from each other that stem from a cultural source. But as I slowly turned each page, I could see how some designs could look a bit similar but were indeed quite different from the others. It began to make sense that since each tattoo reflected something personal about the person wearing it, that in itself would be the special ingredient for a unique narrative. And of course, the artist would also provide a personal style to the piece. The collection of photos display some of the older traditional styles but also include some of the modern influences found in Polynesian tattooing.
At the end of this book, Allen provides the artist's contact information for those who wish to find out more about a particular artist. There is also a nice write up about Tricia Allen courtesy of Ed Hardy. I think it is great that she has the respect of well-known and respected tattoo artists.
I definitely recommend picking up this book because it is informative and visually enjoyable. You can find it in the local library or go to Tricia Allen’s website http://thepolynesiantattoo.com/. You can also visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Tattoo-Traditions-of-Polynesia-56253253877/
Enjoy!
Book Review: by Patricia Travers
Polynesian Tattoo Today
Tattooist and Historian Tricia Allen
285 pages.
Mutual Publishing 2010.
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