Jidenna's Polynesian Sleeve
Inked Magazine
Inked Magazine covered the full-sleeve Polynesian tattoo commission Joshawa Elsas completed for recording artist Jidenna.
Read at Inked Magazine ↗Press & Media
IslandTAT is a Polynesian tattoo studio in Lemon Grove, in the San Diego area, founded by Joshawa Elsas. Joshawa is CHamoru, was raised in Hawaiʻi, and has been tattooing since 1999 (27 years). Every tattoo at the studio is composed freehand on the body through the IslandTAT Method. He is the author of The Polynesian Tattoo Code, contributed Polynesian tattoo-based artwork to the 2022 Kona Café renovation at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and serves as Spiritual Tatau Artist for the Aliʻi Nui of the Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi.
Full background: Joshawa Elsas · the artists (27 years; tattooing since 1999; Maddy Tellez, 5 years; Tanner Magbanua, 1 year tattooing).
Media coverage
Island TAT — Jidenna's Polynesian Tattoo
The Coconet TV (Pasifika arts platform)
The Coconet TV profiled the same Jidenna commission and described the freehand approach used to build the composition.
Read at The Coconet TV (Pasifika arts platform) ↗Inside The Polynesian Kingdom Of Atooi
Business Insider · January 2014
Business Insider reported on the Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi, the Pacific sovereignty movement for which Joshawa Elsas serves as Spiritual Tatau Artist.
Read at Business Insider ↗Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson helped to popularize tattoos in Pacific Islander culture
AsAmNews · November 7, 2021
Joshawa Elsas was quoted in this national feature on Pasifika tattoo culture.
Read at AsAmNews ↗Selected work & commissions
Kona Café renovation artwork
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort (Florida) · 2022
Joshawa Elsas contributed Polynesian tattoo-based artwork to the 2022 Kona Café renovation at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
Read more →The Polynesian Tattoo Code, Vol. I
IslandTAT (author: Joshawa Elsas)
A 273-page volume on Polynesian design principles, motifs and cultural framing. Available as a digital edition and in paperback and hardcover fulfilled by Amazon.
Read more →TATtalk
IslandTAT
Long-form conversations on Polynesian tattoo history, artist stewardship and the responsibilities of the craft, hosted by Joshawa Elsas.
Read more →Tattoo work
Large-scale freehand Polynesian compositions — sleeves, chest panels, back and leg work — with healed examples.
Media contact
For interviews, editorial image requests, podcast bookings, or questions about Polynesian tattooing and cultural design, contact IslandTAT at info@islandtat.com or 866-279-0699. Portfolio images are copyrighted; editorial use is considered case by case. The media kit below has approved wording, source links, and photo-usage notes.