VICE
Supporting the documentary work of Julia Mage’au Gray and her mission to revive traditional tattoo marking for women in Papua new Guinea
The Maitree team collaborated with Papua New Guinean Australian artist, dancer and filmmaker Julia Mage’au Gray from Melanesian Marks to film this documentary short on one of her trips to Papua New Guinea to continue her traditional marking work.
The documentary short was produced and broadcast on VICE media channels and Julia used the content as a part of her larger film project Tep Tok, following the journey of Melanesian 'Tattoo' Revival. Tep Tok began in 2012 with four women of Papua New Guinea and Australian descent bringing awareness to the dying art of skin marking in Central Province, Papua New Guinea.
Image by Leigh Bramall
Outcomes
An insightful look into Julia’s important work reviving traditional Melanesian skin marking which was stopped as Christian missionaries moved into the region in the 1900s. Reviving this practice has led to a rebuilding of pride and self confidence for young people in their culture and traditions.
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