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Charles Goldie is known for his portraits of New Zealand Maori
chiefs (ariki) and women of rank (kuia). His
paintings chronicled the traditional tattoos of these Maori men
and women.
Charles Goldie was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 20
October 1870. The second of eight children born to David Goldie and his
wife, Maria Partington.
Below are some examples of his
Charles Goldie's paintings of Maori men and
women.
Biography of Charles F. Goldie
You may be
robbed of all that you cherish. But of your moko, you cannot be
deprived, except by death. It will be your ornament and your companion
until your final day. - Netena Whakaari of
Waimana, 1921
Tattooing has deep roots in Polynesian culture, and each
of the various Polynesian races of the South Pacific has a unique blend
of tattoo or tatau. Tattooing was tied closely to rank, and the
higher the rank, the more the body was tattooed. In New Zealand, the face tattoo
(ta moko) could only be worn by those of high rank, principally
tribal chiefs. Maori women of
rank had their chins and lips tattooed.
Polynesian tattooing is actually
achieved by carving the skin and flesh with a sharp stick, an obviously very
painful process. The buttocks and legs were frequently tattooed.
The colonizing British and Europeans brought with them Christian missionaries
who considered tattooing "the devil's art". The missionaries
successfully outlawed tatau and the art form almost died out.
Fortunately the tattoos of the Maori at this time in New Zealand's early
history were
beautifully chronicled by the painter
Charles F. Goldie. See some examples of
Charles
Goldie's paintings of New Zealand Maori with tattooed faces.
There has
been a flourishing revival of traditional tattooing in New Zealand over
the last 20 years.
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