Traditional tattoo art is a great way to express oneself, allowing artists to incorporate personal values and attitudes into their designs.
Maori Tattoo Art
Maori tattoo art has a long history in Maori culture and is highly valued for its body-modification effects. New Zealand Maori artists are working hard to revive and share this art form worldwide. In the past, Maori face tattoos were considered essential rites of passage, indicating family heritage, social status, and rank. Traditional Maori face tattoos involved scarring and marking the skin with a sharp instrument, while today’s Moko artists use modern tattoo machines. These intricate tattoos often incorporate elements from Maori mythology and symbolism.
Iban Tattoo Art
Iban tattoo art is a significant part of Iban culture, used to commemorate important life events, and is considered vital to their way of life. Iban culture is one of the few remaining cultures practicing traditional tattoo art, believed to be one of the oldest forms of body decoration. Canadian tattoo artist Tom Lockhart has traveled to Borneo to meet with Iban tattoo artists and preserve their ancient practices. This documentary film provides an enthralling journey into their art form, including the ancient technique of hand-tapping tattoos.
Makonde Tattoo Art
Makonde tattoo art is integral to Makonde culture and reflects their intricate belief system. This culture involves ancestor worship, bush spirits worshipping, and sorcerers, all playing a significant role in their cosmology. Makonde society believes in impersonal powers that oversee individual and worldly aspects of life. In the past, Makonde women often got tattooed with designs intended to ward off evil spirits or increase fertility, with lizards being a common motif.
Mexican Tattoo Art
Spanish artists brought European designs and merged them with Mexican traditions during colonization, creating a unique style of traditional tattoo art that remains popular today. Popular Mexican tattoo designs include sugar skulls, often associated with the Day of the Dead holiday, and hummingbirds, which are visually stunning creatures.
American Tattoo Art
Tattoo art has deep roots in American culture as a form of self-expression and social rebellion. It gained popularity among sailors and soldiers during World War II, who used tattoos to express their individuality. Through their travels, they discovered tattooing traditions from Asian and Pacific Island cultures. American Traditional tattoos typically feature bold lines, and two or three colors and draw inspiration from Asian styles known for vibrant tones and dramatic shading.
