Here’s an encouraging story by SBS Australia about the Bellona tattoo revival.
“A new generation of artists are using modern tools to ensure the tradition of full body tattoos is not lost…”
Fore more reading on this ancient tradition, here is a select list of publications (I provide an overview in this article). Literature on Rennell Island tattoo is related. Enjoy!
Birket-Smith, K. (1956). An Ethnological Sketch of Rennell Island: A Polynesian Outlier in Melanesia. Dan. Hist. Filol. Medd 35(3).
D’Obrenan, R.V.D.B (1947). “Notes sur L’ile Rennell et ses tatouages.” Journal de la Société des Océanistes 3(3):23-33.
Tickle, L. (1977). Tau kuku: A Tattooing of the People of Bellona Island. Honiara: CASI.
Trench, D. (1940). “Rennell Island Tattoo Markings.” Oceania 11: 202-204.
Woodford, C.M. (1907). “Notes on Rennell Island.” Man 7: 33-37.