"Va Tapuia Punialo" Tatau Series Canvas

“Vā Tapuia Punialo” - Space made sacred is a Samoan concept which emphasizes the space between, meaning the connection of relationships. Those relationships can include the connection between family members, between society and the hierarchy, as well as the relationship of space between marks on the tatau or tapa motifs.
This painting features the "punialo" - translated from ‘closed space’ to ‘protection of the abdomen or the place from where children are formed’, this particular mark is placed below the navel. The symbol of protection found both in male and female tatau was a sacred piece that signified the place of procreation and protection for that space.
Stories circulate that men would often receive the punialo which marks the sensitive area below the navel as a test of whether or not they could handle the full malofie. For those who did not receive the full malofie but had the punialo, opinions differed as to whether they were still worthy of the honors of those who received the full pe‘a (malofie).
The punialo was not practiced as frequently as in ancient days, but practitioners such as Li‘aifaiva (who created these marks) have begun to revive the marks. This revival brings back a sacred part of our history and culture, which I believe is a culture which holds important hidden truths to help guide our world into the future.

Looking to add a little flair to your room or office? Look no further - this canvas print has a vivid, fade-resistant print that you're bound to fall in love with.

• Acid-free, PH-neutral, poly-cotton base
• 20.5 mil (0.5 mm) thick poly-cotton blend canvas
• Canvas fabric weight: 13.9 oz/yd2(470 g/m²)
• Fade-resistant
• Hand-stretched over solid wood stretcher bars
• Matte finish coating
• 1.5″ (3.81 cm) deep
• Mounting brackets included
• Blank product in the EU sourced from Latvia
• Blank product in the US sourced from the US

Size guide