Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II

Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II

Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II (1949/1950 – 25 November 1999)[1] was a Samoan tattooist, tufuga ta tatau (master tattooist), in New Zealand.[2]

Suluape was from the Su'a family of Lefaga, a family well known as tufuga ta tatau in Samoa. His brothers Su'a Suluape Petelo and Sua Suluape Lafaele are respected master tattooists today.

Suluape tattooed well known New Zealand artist Tony Fomison, with the traditional Samoan pe'a.[2]

In 2009, his life and tattoo work was published in a photographic book Tatau: Samoan Tattoo, New Zealand Art, Global Culture published by Te Papa Press, the publication arm of New Zealand's national museum Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The book features photographs by New Zealander Mark Adams accompanied by essays and interviews.[3]

The tufuga ta tatau are respected masters of the traditional art of tattooing in Samoa. The traditional Samoan male tattoo is the pe'a. The female tattoo is the malu. The word tattoo is believed to have originated from the Samoan word tatau. In Samoan mythology the origin of the tatau is told in a legend about two sisters, Tilafaiga and Taema.

References

  1. ↑ "Knockout blow 'not seen'". The Press. 27 November 1999. p. 8.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 , Art New Zealand magazine, Issue 109, Exhibitions Wellington, article by Natalie Robertson and Neil Pardington
  3. ↑ "Tatau: Samoan Tattoo, New Zealand Art, Global Culture". Te Papa Press. 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
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