Contemporary Innovations in Tatoo:
Traditional tatau continues to be worn in Samoa and the diaspora,
but it is practiced contemporaneously with new forms of tattoo--some
invented and performed by tufunga ta tatau, and others by those
who are not traditional experts, both Samoan and non-Samoan. The
most visible change in this new style of contemporary tattoo is
its placement on new areas of the body, primarily on the wrist,
arm and lower legs. While traditional tattooing is occasionally
placed on the wrists of men and women, it has been transformed into
a stand-alone design. Popularized in the 1960s, wrist and armbands
(originally called Peace Corps Tattoos/Tatau Pisikoa) were commissioned
by those who did not want the commitment of a full pe'a or malu.
While they may have been initially designed for "outsiders" wanting
a souvenir, the wrist and armband, along with leg and anklebands,
have developed into a popular Samoan style. These forms tend to
encircle the arm or leg in a somewhat symmetrical design, yet they
tend to be worn on only one arm or leg, and thus break the overall
bilateral body symmetry of traditional tatau.
In addition
to a change in body placement, there has been a
strong departure in design motifs. Wearer's of
contemporary tattoo are much more active in the
creative process, collaborating with tattoo artists
to develop new design vocabularies. Graphic design
elements from other media (like siapo/Samoan bark
cloth) have proven to be a fertile source of
inspiration for new compositions. The introduction
of "realistic" representation, such as 'ava bowls,
flywhisks (fue), orator's staffs (to'oto'o) and
headdresses (tuiga), as well as the incorporation
of words, such as "Samoa" and "Talofa" (greeting),
has been inspired by the Western style of tattoo.
These more representative elements are far more
popular in the diaspora, as those living in the
Islands are less likely to deem the inclusion of
words such as "Samoa" necessary.
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Another
change in contemporary Samoan tattoo is in
application techniques. While many arm and leg
bands are done by tufunga ta tatau, many others are
done by Samoan and non-Samoan tattoo artists using
machine tools or homemade needles rather than
combs. Electric machines and commercial inks tend
to give crisper lines and have an overall darker
appearance. The Samoan aesthetic, however,
continues to favor the contrast of dark ink to skin
color, avoiding polychrome inks and extensive tonal
gradation. While contemporary tatau is done with
either combs or machines, traditional pe'a and malu
should be done by comb, or it isn't "right."
Samoan
tattooing began to enjoy a renaissance in the
1960s, perhaps linked with a revitalized national
pride in Western Samoa after independence (1962).
While all forms of Samoan tattoo are linked with a
general pride and commitment to Samoan culture,
there are some important differences. For men, the
difference between a traditional pe'a and a
contemporary tattoo is in social perception and
behavioral restrictions. There is great social
pressure in both Samoa and the diaspora for a man
with a pe'a to carry himself in a dignified manner,
to possess an intimate knowledge of Samoan history
and culture, and to have oratory skills for
speech-making (an important part of Samoan
culture). Due to these desired standards, many feel
a man should not seek a pe'a unless he is ready to
take on these responsibilities. Women, on the other
hand, are less socially restricted since malu is
less visible. Instead, the choice becomes a more
private commitment to culture and identity, but the
wearer also understands the cultural expectations
of proper behavior.
Unlike the
traditional pe'a and malu, however, contemporary
tattoo comes without social and cultural
restrictions, and has thus enjoyed a greater
popularity, especially with younger Samoans living
more "Westernized" lives in the diaspora. These
younger Samoans tend to consciously manipulate
their Western/Samoan identities, code-switching
from fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way) to more Western
modes on a situational basis, and they perceive
contemporary tattoos as more appropriate for their
bi-cultural identities. While tattoo has helped
bring a greater visibility to Samoans living
abroad, it continues to be a vital and vibrant art
form among all Samoans. Traditional tatau and
contemporary tattoo co-exist comfortably. Creative
influences and inspirations continue to flow
between Samoa and the diaspora, as tattoo continues
to prove itself as a dynamic medium for artistic
innovation and cultural cohesion in the Samoan
world.
"Worn with Pride: Celebrating Samoan Artistic
Heritage" was curated by Teri Sowell, Ph.D.
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