Renowned Filipino photographer, Jake Versoza who launched his book “The Last Tattooed Women of Kalinga” was recently recognized as one of the recipients of the prestigious “Steidl Book Award Asia” by renowned German designer, curator, and publisher Gerhard Steidl alongside other books by photographers from India, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and China.
His work features the legendary Whang-Od among the tattooed women of Kalinga. Quoting Jake Versoza, “The main purpose of doing this was to document the last remaining people who adorn these tattoos and to hopefully reverse the changing perception of beauty among the Kalinga.
The tattoos used to be a symbol of beauty, wealth, and honor but now, most see them as ancient, barbaric, and a stigma.
”
Have you seen Jake Verzosa’s works?
