Joshawa Elsas
Founder, IslandTAT · San Diego, California
- Style
- 3D sculptural Polynesian shading
- Regions served
- United States
- Tradition
- Chamorro · Hawaiʻi
About Elsas’s work
Founder of IslandTAT, widely credited with pioneering a three-dimensional shading technique in Polynesian tattooing — treating each motif as an individually sculpted form so the pattern reads as depth rather than a flat surface design. Also launched Island Tat as an apparel line and authored The Polynesian Tattoo: Code (2023). Clients include NFL players Rey Maualuga, Ray Lewis and Lofa Tatupu, and he has designed Polynesian patterns for Disney's Polynesian Resort.
Connect
Featured posts by Elsas
Verified Instagram work embedded in our live inspiration hub.
Sources & citations
Every artist on PolyTribal is backed by at least one independent public reference — studio website, museum record, national award or press coverage. Follow the links to verify Elsas for yourself.
More context on Chamorro · Hawaiʻi tattoo practice: motif library · placement guide · choosing an artist