Our resident Ta Moko (traditional Maori tattoo) artist Manawa Tapu has enjoyed having time to paint during the government ordered Covid-19/Coronavirus lockdown.
As well as being an incredible tattooist, he is also a phenomenal painter, and also wood carver. It’s really cool to see the different skill sets tattoo artists have when using other mediums than skin!
Close up of “Prey for Eyes” by Manawa Tapu.
Manawa Tapu has been painting a bunch of New Zealand/Aotearoa flora and fauna, which is quite different to what we usually see from him. One of our favourite pieces is this Pāpaka (crab), which as well as being a wicked painting is available to be tattooed. Manawa Tapu would love to tattoo more native New Zealand/Aotearoa species - what would you like to see done in this style?
Pāpaka by Manawa Tapu.
New Zealand is home to incredible bird, insect and aquatic life. Due to our little nation splitting away and becoming a stand alone set of islands over 50 million years ago, our species evolved some interesting quirks. Birds becoming flightless was one of the most interesting traits, as birds had no dangerous mammalian predators. In fact, the only land mammals native to New Zealand are two types of small fruit bat.
Manawa Tapu’s “Prey For Eyes” shows a Battle Royale between the extinct Haast Eagle and Moa. The Haast eagle was the most impressive eagle the world has ever seen, with a wingspan of 3 meters and claws as strong as a tigers. The Giant Moa were flightless birds that stood around 2 meters in height, and seemed to be vegetarians. These epic birds are just two examples of New Zealand’s incredible avian creatures.
“Prey For Eyes” by Manawa Tapu.
If you’re interested in showing your love for New Zealand’s gorgeous native flora and fauna, represented with beautiful Maori pattern work by the one and only Manawa Tapu, please get in touch with the studio to discuss your ideas.
For expressions of interest, booking requests and general information please contact the studio.
CONTACT:
www.sunsettattoo.co.nz
info@sunsettattoo.co.nz