Join Te Papa Senior Curator of Pacific Cultures Sean Mallon as he explores the significance and impact of tatau, its deep-rooted connections to identity, power and gender, and its evolution in the face of colonialism, cultural appropriation and globalisation.

Bio

Sean Mallon specialises in the social and cultural history of Pacific peoples in New Zealand. He is the author of Tatau: A History of Sāmoan Tattooing (2017) with Sébastien Galliot, and is currently researching issues relating to the agency and activism of Pacific peoples in museums. View Sean’s publications on Google Scholar.

This event is related to photographs in the exhibition Mark Adams: A Survey | He Kohinga Whakaahua on Level 2 and aligns with the exhibition’s closing weekend.

Image credits: Mark Adams, 30.06.1985. Chalfont Crescent. Mangere. Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. Jim Taofinu‘u. Tufuga tatatau: Su‘a Sulu‘ape Paulo II 

Sean Mallon's image - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. 

Date: Sat 16 Aug 2025

Location: Auditorium

Cost: Free