“Known for the elegance and complexity of their decorative art, Marquesans artists were described by Paul Gaugin as possessing ‘an unheard of sense of decoration’ in all they created.”

“The human body was also an important focus for artistic expression”

“Adorned with finely crafted ornaments, elaborate coiffures, and intricate tattoos that sometime covered the entire body, Marquesans themselves became living art forms”.

Adorning the World, Art of the Marquesas Islands –
The Metropolitan Museum of Art