What To See on Raiatea and Tahaa Islands : Artists, Craftsmen, and other Specialties : Tahiti Sun Travel

Artists, Craftsmen,
& Other Specialties

The creativity of the Society island's many skilled artists and craftsman is impressive and varied.

Some of the more common examples of work include painting, woodcarving, working with shells and pearls in a thousand ways, and tattooing, but there are other specialties as well...

This page is intended to display the unique skills of the artists of Raiatea & Tahaa islands, in particular. All have their own unique styles and products.

Here, you can also read about generalized information for arts and crafts on all the Tahitian islands.

LOCAL ARTISTS & CRAFTMEN	ART GALLERIES
CUSTOM LURE MAKING \| TATTOO ARTISTS	OTHER ISLANDS

TST makes sightseeing and island exploring options easy! If you want MORE choices, simply check out our other "To SEE" pages: ATTRACTIONS & UNIQUE ACTIVITIES and GENERAL SIGHTSEEING & POINTS OF INTEREST.

Wan't more? Be sure and explore our "WHAT TO DO" section for even more activities, adventures, relaxation, shopping ideas and other things to do and see!

LOCAL ARTISTS & CRAFTMEN

Raiatea & Tahaa have a good amount of unique and highly talented artists considering the lack of tourism on their islands. The reasons for this could be many... Both island's beauty and solitude is certainly a factor, although other islands are also spectacular and quiet... Maybe its the scent of vanilla, or the view of Bora bora? Whatever the reasons, Raiatea & Tahaa have an influence over it's creative inhabitants that makes them capable of producing some world class art.

There are a handful of artists in particular that stand out from the rest.

There is one fishing expert living on Raiatea who makes custom lures into an art. In addition to being interesting to look at for non-fish knowledgable people, they catch prizewinning Marlins!

His name is Jean Luc and he runs the local custom charter boat Temanuata. He is well known throughout the deepsea fishing industry and his custom lures are sought after by the world's top big game fishermen.

TE MANU ATA
P.O. Box 5 Uturoa- RAIATEA E-MAIL
Telephone- (689) 66.32.14/ 66.20.10, Fax- (689) 66.24.28, Cell phone- (689)78.23.84
Custom lure maker: Mr. Jean-Luc LIAUT- Captain of the Temanuata

Read more about us and our charter fishing company Temanuata by visiting our direct linking website!

TATTOO ARTISTS

An important part of the culture of the Polynesian islands is tattooing. South Pacific Islanders have been decorating their bodies with symbolistic art for many hundreds of years, if not thousands... In fact, it's popularly believed among historians that the first and oldest Tattoos known to man were from the South Pacific Islands, (probably the Marquesas).

Today's Polynesian tattoo specialists benefit from the new and safe techniques of modern tattooing, yet most are proud to continue working with the traditional art motifs and themes of their ancestors. This makes for unique tattooing. If you've ever wanted a tattoo, Raiatea is a great place to get one... Work with one of these tattoo artists on something that means something special to your life.

Artists and art galleries ART GALLERIES

Celebrate the diversity and creativity of Raiatea & Tahaa's unique artists and craftsmen!

Local artists on Raiatea and Tahaa sell their products and services at whatever forums are available to them, just as most artists do anywhere else... Much of what is produced on these islands in particular can be also be found in artisan centers in Tahiti and Bora bora, as well as various galleries, resort hotels, and boutiques found throughout French Polynesia.

In these galleries, you'll see lots of woodcarvings, shell and pearly items, black pearl related jewelry, paintings and sculptures, and other assorted styles of Polynesian related artistry. Art options range from the affordable souvenir for the economically challenged to fine, one of a kind pieces for the more affluent collector.

Upon purchasing a peice of art you're not only acquiring a beautiful slice of original Polynesian culture but also supporting the local art community.

Here's a list of the local galleries on the island:

ARTS EXPO GALLERY
Apooiti Marina- RAIATEA, Telephone- (689) 66.11.83
Wooden boxes, paintings, lithographies, hand painted fabrics, shirts, bed cushions, jewelry, pearls, gifts...

ANUANUA GALLERY
Uturoa- RAIATEA, Telephone- (689) 66.12.66
Paintings, scrimshaw, pottery, sculptures, jewelry, lithographies, wood and stone carvings, gifts, more...

There is also an "Arts and Crafts Association" on Raiatea:

HAWAIKI NUI (HANDCRAFTS) FEDERATION
Located at the Uturoa airport and the Maritime harbour, Contact: Yolanda HAHE PO Box 299- 98 735 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Telephone- (689) 66.12.37, Tahitian Handicrafts gifts and objects.Telephone- (689) 66.12.37/ 66.33.03, Fax-(689) 66.19.81

Don't miss our SHOPS & BOUTIQUES section for more options of gift buying and art ideas...