Tattoo: past and present
Full day event
Saturday 20 October 2018 12 - 12.59am
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Various events, booking required.
Oceania
As part of our ‘Oceania’ programme of public events, join us for a day of discussion, artist talks and a film screening as we delve into the world of indigenous and contemporary global tattoo culture.
During this day of events, hear from working tattooists whose contemporary practices are rooted in ancient methodologies and historical research, attend a panel discussion exploring the varying methods of global indigenous tattooing, and watch a film screening on indigenous tattoo culture.
Scroll down to book individual event tickets or a combined day ticket.
Various events, booking required.
Oceania
Tattoo: past and present programme
As part of our Tattoo: past and present day of events, three tattoo artists from around the globe offer insights into their practice and discuss the varying cultural histories that have helped shaped their work today.
Each Tattooist will give a 20-minute spotlight talk on their current working practice and offer personal stories about their cultural histories and understanding of traditional processes within the contemporary world of tattoo.
Participating speakers: Henk Schiffmacher Te Rangitu Netana Maya Sialuk Jacobsen
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, 11.30am–12.45pm, £15/£9
Our panel discusses the varying traditions and journeys that have formed today’s tattoo culture.
Are historical tattooing traditions fully recognised by contemporary tattooists? What part do spirituality, cosmology, journey and tradition play in today’s tattoo culture and how are cultural traditions respected?
With a resurgence in the popularity of indigenous methods of tattooing, our panel will explore the global histories of tattooing culture and discuss whether the processes are being recognised respectfully within contemporary culture.
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, 2–3pm, £15/£9
To conclude our ‘Tattoo: past and present’ event, we are hosting a special screening of ‘Tunniit: Retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos’ which offers a personal insight into what the indigenous tattoo means to individuals and their cultures.
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre 4.30–5.30pm, £12/£8
Day ticket
To celebrate this special event we have a limited amount of day tickets available for Tattoo: past and present. This price includes access to all panel discussions, spotlight talks and a screening.
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, 11am–5.30pm, £32/£20
Priority booking for Friends of the RA opens on Monday 10 September 2018 at 10am. Booking opens to the public on Wednesday 12 September at 10am.
Tattoo in Oceania: a living legacy
New Zealand tattoo artist Te Rangitu Netana had been working with electric tattoo machines for 15 years when he first met Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo II, a tufuga tatatau (Samoan tattooist). He was inspired by Sulu'ape's use of the traditional hand-tapping technique, and from that point on he began incorporating uhi (traditional tools) into his practice. In this video, Te Rangitu Netana explains the importance of tā moko in Maori culture, and New Zealand artist Mark Adams discusses his work documenting the work of tufuga tatatau, two examples of which are on show in Oceania. Book now to see Te Rangitu Netana in our spotlight talks session as part of Tattoo: past and present.
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