The Blue Privilege - The Last Tattooed Māori Women (1980) by Harry Sangl

This is a second-hand copy of the book.

Condition: This is a used book in good condition. The dustjacket has shelf-wear with creasing and rubbing - see photos. The dust jacket has now been covered in a non-adhesive PVC cover for its own protection. This is simply folded in place and is easy to remove without damaging the jacket. No inscriptions. No Foxing.

Publisher: Richards Publishing
Year: 1980
ISBN: 0908596065
Format: Hardback with dustjacket (330mm x 250mm)
Pages: 96
Condition: Used (Good)

Portrait artist Harry Sengl came to from Germany in 1969 and his interest in Maori tattooing was ignited when he encountered his "first kuia with a moko" in 1972. In subsequent years he travelled widely in seeking out elderly kuia (old lady) with "moko" (tattoo) willing to sit for the portraits presented in this fine book. Although he met with some refusals, he was able to paint 34 of these elderly women, each with a genuine, traditional chin and lip tattoo, with 33 of the paintings included in the text block of "The Blue Privilege " and the other appearing as the frontispiece. Each colour image is full page with a brief biography of the subject on the facing page. (One of the subject kuia was believed to be more than 120 years old at the time of the painting.) In addition to these paintings the end-papers carry close-up, detail sketches of each tattoo, other sketches show implements used for tattooing, traditional carvings, ornaments and weapons. In two complementary chapters Merimeri Penfold and D R Simmons respectively reflect on the place of moko in Maori community and the techniques used in creating a moko. Harry Sengl's book and his paintings are treasured reminders of that last generation of "kuia with a moko.