About Blood & Ink

Tattoos can be found on people in almost every country in the world and have existed for thousands of years. These markings can represent anything from membership, cultural identification, a personal style, memorials to loved ones, and more. The historical use of tattooing and scarification in the islands of the South Pacific is often associated with cultural identity or even birth location.

In 2006, Amanda Fornal traveled for four months through the South Pacific, visiting twenty islands in Fiji, Samoa, French Polynesia, Tonga, Rapa Nui, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The purpose of this expedition was to document and study the history and cultural significance of tattoos in Polynesian and Melanesian societies. She conducted interviews with anthropologists, tattoo artists, cultural leaders, and individuals with historically significant tattoos and facial scars. In Vanuatu, she was an approved researcher by the Vanuatu Cultural Center, which allowed her to be accompanied by cultural representatives on those islands for introductions and translations.

During this expedition, Amanda had the unique opportunity to photograph some of the last remaining examples of traditional tattoos. These images capture the designs and stories behind each marking, preserving a visual record of practices that are fading or have stopped. The resurgence of tattooing in some areas highlights an interest in cultural revival and understanding the history and meanings behind these cultural practices.

About Amanda Fornal

Amanda Fornal is an explorer, photographer, diver, and cultural visual storyteller. She has traveled to more than 100 countries and territories and every continent. Amanda is the founder of Women in Exploration , the creator of Love is... , and a Fellow of The Explorers Club.

For Blood & Ink, Amanda traveled solo throughout the South Pacific islands for four months, visiting twenty islands to learn about and document cultural markings. This expedition led to documenting some of the last remaining tattoos and scarifications on islands in Vanuatu and the Solomons.

Amanda's interests range from ocean exploration, animal rights, and conservation to global health and cultural understanding.

When she is not exploring, Amanda is a business consultant through her company, Orange SFM . She is also the founder of Founder Buddies , a startup advisor, board member, mentor, executive coach, and director at an early-stage startup accelerator.