Part of my Tatau Series, this piece honors the sacred role of the malu—the traditional Samoan tattoo worn by women—with reverence and truth. In Samoan culture, the body is more than flesh; it is a vessel shaped by Tagaloa, the god of creation. The malu is not just design or decoration. It is protection. It is identity. It is ceremony, etched into the skin with purpose.
Before colonial shame arrived, Samoan bodies were proudly displayed—adorned with tatau, celebrated for their strength and beauty. This painting reclaims that knowing. The malu is not hidden. It is seen, honored, and alive.
“Sacred Malu” is a tribute to body sovereignty, ancestral memory, and the quiet defiance of Pacific Island women who carry culture in every step.
