Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are a Pacific archipelago home to many peoples, languages and artistic traditions. Tattooing, scarification, ornaments and carved objects differed from one community to another.

Some designs showed identity or standing. Tattooed patterns could decorate a large area of the body, while scars created marks through the texture of healed skin. Portraits reveal both approaches.

Headhunting in some communities gave the islands a fearsome reputation among European visitors. Decorated canoes, weapons and trophies belonged to particular histories of warfare and ceremony, rather than to everyone across the archipelago.

The Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña reached the islands in 1568. Later trade, missionary activity and colonial rule changed local life. Some body markings fell out of use, while other artistic traditions continued or found new forms.