Moko: Maori Tattoos [Hardcover]

Hans Neleman (Author, Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book's 72 portraits form a compelling, haunting, vulnerable, frightened, beautiful, defiant mix. -- Graphis, 12/99

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Edition Stemmle (November 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3908161967
• ISBN-13: 978-3908161967
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,517,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good start........, January 2, 2000

By 

J. K. Nunes "traveler" (Hawai'i) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moko: Maori Tattoos (Hardcover)

Let me first say that this is a impressive photo essay that contains very impressive photographs, but the majority of these photos are of tattoos and not moko in it's truest sense. If someone is looking for a book that documents contmporary moko and not contemporary tattooing by Maori then this may disappoint you. Moko is not just tattoo and not all tattoo are elevated to that of moko. The moko not only consist of the laying of a design in the skin but also of the relationship of the individual to his or her geneology, tribal affiliation, and spirituality. The facilitator of this is the Ta Moko, tattooist for lack of a better word. There is no part of the book in which the tattooist are interviewed and allowed to share this paramount aspect of the culture.

The begining of the book starts off very well with some impressive moko kanohi and moko kauwai. The inclusion of the individuals tribal affiliations is very important and is a credit to the authors and planners of this book, but then the book diverges, in my opinion, and shows many facial tattoos and not moko. These tattoos are worn very proudly by gang members, predominately Black Power and Mongrel Mob, and Rastafarians as an expression of their individual beliefs and commitments and not necessarily reflective of the strict cultural tapu of the moko. This is not to challenge these individuals Maoritanga, but merely to point out the difference between the beginning of the book and the rest of it.

I was also dissapointed with was the fact that the Puhoro and Rapa are not really represented in the photo essays. With the exception of one moko kanohi that is done in the puhoro style the rest of the moko is done in the mataora style.

I would recommend this book only to those that have a basic understanding of the moko and contemporary Maori culture or to those that appreciate well done photos.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, December 13, 1999

By 

Micah Toub (New York, New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moko: Maori Tattoos (Hardcover)

MOKO - MAORI TATTOO by Hans Neleman

-From the Publisher-

The Maori of New Zealand struggle to reclaim their heritage while each day the barbarous and illicit trade in mokomakai, the preserved heads of Maori ancestors, continues. Distrustful of Europeans and their descendents, the Maori have never allowed any photographs to be taken of them, fearing they would only be further exploited. MOKO - MAORI TATTOOS is the breakthrough book that finally introduces photographs of the Maori, and their stunning facial tattooing, called ta moko. To help in the Maori cause, photographer Hans Neleman will donate all of his royalties to benefit a Maori fund.

Ta Moko is the Maori form of a tradition that extends throughout the islands of Polynesia. Although this legacy had been abandoned for over a century, the late 1970s marked its revival when gang members applied facial designs to once again identify themselves as Maori. Photographer Hans Neleman introduced himself gradually to the Maori and soon was accepted into their meetings where he approached them about doing a book. Before the Maori allowed Hans Neleman to photograph them, an agreement was made that he would only publish photographs if the Maori's words were printed next to the photos. The quotes speak of suffering and loss, power and spirituality. Most words were taken directly from the photographic subjects who were interviewed during the shoot. Texts from Maori religious documents are also included to unite the present with the past.

In MOKO - MAORI TATTOOS, the intricate patterns of the moko jump out from simple white backgrounds. Neleman chose this setting to eliminate any element that might distract the viewer from his subjects. As a result, the viewer is drawn to a stronger and more deeply resonant presence. In some ways, the strength and sincerity of these subjects is more apparent in their eyes and facial expressions than any of their other physical manifestations. In one picture a fierce-looking Rastafarian, resplendent in his leather, tenderly holds a child in his arms. Documenting this apparent contradiction was especially important to Neleman who wanted to explore all sides to the Maori. Another photo displays a beautiful woman who has her back turned and looks over her shoulder at the camera, in a pose similar to models in fashion magazines. The only difference is that she displays the lip and chin tattoos unique to Maori women instead of lipstick and eye-shadow.

MOKO - MAORI TATTOOS brings the Maori into the spotlight for the very first time, and gives them a voice. This book is many things - a collection of beautiful and touching images, a contribution to a great cause, and a piece of history.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Hans Neleman is one of those rare and fortunate photographers whose commercial work is as aesthetically viable as their independent creative work and who are respected and sought out by commercial clients and art curators alike. His photographs have been exhibited in Amsterdam, Mexico, Chicago and New York City. Silence, an eagerly anticipated collection of Neleman's ground-breaking still lifes, is scheduled for release by Edition Stemmle in the Fall of 2000.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Tame Wairere Iti is one of the Maori's most important political activists. He is a painter and owner of an art gallery and has been the brain behind various spectacular political actions as a part of his lifelong struggle against the many lingering forms of colonialism.

Pita Turei is an independent film producer and writer. He is known as an insightful political commentator and has interviewed all the Maori portrayed in this book.

Nicole MacDonald began working for Hans Neleman as studio manager and production coordinator in New York in 1997. She wrote the award winning proposal for the moko project and was production coordinator while shooting in New Zealand.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, but just as good., December 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Moko: Maori Tattoos (Hardcover)

When I purchased this book I expected more historically traditional photographs, but I was happily surprised to find this book just as interesting with its modern take on traditional Maori tattoo culture. The subjects of the many photos reflect the modernized interpretation of moko as it exists today. I recommend this book to any tattoo enthusiast who has an interest in Polynesian or pacific island tattoo practices.