PROTOTYPE
In Moorea, as in all of the *fenua*, tattooing is a living art. Each pattern has its meaning: it evokes family, nature, values, and the stages of life. In the workshops, tattoo artists draw by hand, carve the skin with respect, and carry on a heritage that is several centuries old.
Their knowledge is nourished by Marquesan, Tahitian, or Samoan motifs, but also by influences from elsewhere. Some work with machines, others by hand, following the *tatau* tradition. All share the same care for the right gesture and precise drawing. Polynesian tattooing today continues to evolve without losing its soul: it links past and present, roots and creation.
