Mageau : Melanesian Marks
Julia Mage'au Gray
meet.
Julia Mageau Gray, has been marking skin since 2013 and transitioned into this art form after many years as dance practitioner, choreographer and director of Sunameke Productions.
It was her role of film maker of the Sunameke Productions three part documentary; Tep Tok : Reading Between Our Lines, and the journey to raise awareness for the dying art form that moved her into a new role of skin marking artist.
She uses the 'Hand Poke' and "Hand Tap" method of making skin and was taught by a number of Pasifika Tattoo Artists namely Tihoti Mataura, Pat Morrow and Croc Tatau.
Julia Mage'au Gray
MARKS OF MANA - PAPUA NEW GUINEA TEP TOK Pt3
Across the Moana the art of tatau is legendary -
but the marks for women contain stories and meanings that are often little known,
especially for new generations.
words.
Elaine Pokarop & Toria Maladina
Photo: JMG