Our very own Manawa Tapu is an incredible Ta Moko and traditional Maori tattoo artist. He apprenticed under Sunset Tattoo’s owner and founder Tom Tom. Before getting into tattooing full time, Manawa Tapu was studying Maori wood carving (Whakairo Rakau) in Rotorua. Everything he does creatively is about preserving and evolving Maori artwork, with huge respect to both it’s history and future within Aotearoa (New Zealand). Today we talk about Manawa Tapu’s journey into tattooing, different forms of Maori artwork and how he developed and continues to develop his signature contemporary Ta Moko style. Through a huge amount of dedication, hard work and love for his heritage Manawa Tapu has come a long way in a relatively short time. So much in fact, that he has taken on his own apprentice at Sunset Tattoo, Fern Ngatai. Manawa Tapu: Let’s talk about tatts, baby!
Manawa Tapu at Sunset Tattoo - photo by Tim D.
What is your name, where are you from and how old are you?
My name is Tristan Marler, I'm from Mitimiti but I've lived in Auckland for most of my life and I'm 28 years old.
What Iwi are you from?
Te Rarawa/Te Aupouri.
FYI:
Iwi (noun): extended kinship group, tribe, nation, people, nationality, race - often refers to a large group of people descended from a common ancestor and associated with a distinct territory.
Referenced from Maori Dictionary.
Before tattooing, did you have any formal art training at an institutional level?
I studied Whakairo Rakau (wood carving) at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute in Rotorua and also studied Visual Arts at AUT for a year before starting my tattoo apprenticeship with Tom.
What made you decide to get into tattooing?
I became interested in tattooing through getting tattooed and also studying carving, where the patterns I was learning about were similar to those in Ta Moko.
Tukutuku sleeve by Manawa Tapu.
Were you always interested in doing Ta Moko and Maori tattooing, or did you experiment with other styles?
I was always interested in Ta Moko and developing patterns used in traditional textiles such as Taniko weaving and Tukutuku panels. When I started my apprenticeship I drew a lot of different styles such as floral, geometric, mandalas and other tribal styles of tattooing but I've always been drawn to Moko and Maori art as it feels more natural to me and I feel a deep connection to it through my own whakapapa.
Who are your greatest influences when it comes to Moko and Maori artwork?
Gordon Toi Hatfield and his protegees such as Heeds and Tyler Jade. Tawhanga Rika and Wiremu Barriball are also big influences of mine.
Your work is very unique and groundbreaking, you've brought such a fresh and modern take on traditional Maori patterns. What are your main influences for this, when did you begin developing your use of tukutuku/tāniko patterns?
I did a little bit of Taniko and Tukutuku weaving when I was studying at NCMACI and have since incorporated them into my art/tattoo practice.
Can you tell me a little bit about your apprenticeship under Tom?
I have known Tom my whole life as our parents are good friends. I had asked him about how to get an apprenticeship while studying carving and he gave me some good advice. Tom approached me when he was setting up Sunset Tattoo and asked if i'd like to do an apprenticeship with him. Having finished a year of art school and feeling like I hadn't got as much out of it as I would have liked, I thought it would be a really good opportunity so I said yes. In the beginning it was just Tom, his wife Tanja and I. Tom has looked after me really well in the five years I've been at Sunset and been and amazing friend and mentor.
Ta Moko forearm sleeve by Manawa Tapu.
Who are three of your favourite tattooers?
Tom Tom, Gordon Toi Hatfield and Greggletron.
What do you think about Pakeha/non-Maori getting traditional Maori tattoos?
If people approach receiving Moko from a place of respect, It doesn't matter if they're Maori or non-Maori.
What is your dream creative project?
I would love to host regular Moko Wānanga (an educational meeting or seminar, to discuss, deliberate, consider), bringing my friends in the Moko community around New Zealand together to learn together and share with the community.
What do you hope to bring to the Maori community by doing Ta Moko?
I would love to see Moko become more normalized and the stigma around facial Moko broken. This is a movement that has been going on since the revival of Moko and I'd love to be part of that movement.
Tukutuku forearm sleeve by Manawa Tapu.
Apart from tattooing, what other creative pursuits do you enjoy?
I love to paint. I wish I had more time to paint and it's a goal of mine to put aside more time for other creative endeavours. I've also really enjoyed printmaking and weaving and of course carving so those are all mediums that I'd love to keep working in and developing.
What non-art related hobbies do you have?
I love exercising, I suppose you could call that a hobby. During the summer I love to fish when we go on holiday and I also read a lot when I have the time.
Tukutuku patterns by Manawa Tapu.
You've got a young daughter, does she get into art at all yet? Does she paint and draw with you?
My daughter loves to paint and draw, we do a lot of that together. She's also fascinated by my tattoos and loves drawing them on herself.
What have you been doing during the lockdown?
I've been painting day and night, reading every morning and exercising twice a day!
What is your goal professionally?
I have a few! I'd love to co-own a tattoo shop one day. I'd also like to develop my painting/printmaking/carving practice to the point where I can have regular exhibitions. I'd also like to own a burger bar. One of my final goals is to work with my Marae in Mitimiti, hopefully leading a team to carve it and pass on knowledge to a younger generation.
Ta Moko by Manawa Tapu.
What is the first food place you're going to visit once everything gets back to normal?
Burger Burger, for sure! I miss burgers so badly. After that I'll be hitting all the dumpling spots down Dominion Road.
Sunset: Thank you Tristan!
If you’re interested in getting tattooed by our Ta Moko/Maori tattoo artist Tristan or his apprentice, Fern Ngatai, please contact the studio for requests and bookings.
We are creating appointments for post lockdown dates in May now - it has been reported that COVID-19 elimination efforts have been going well - so fingers crossed we can announce an official reopening date soon. Keep your eyes peeled on our social media and news section for up to date announcements!
We hope to see you at sunny central Auckland tattoo shop soon. Thank you for reading!
CONTACT:
www.sunsettattoo.co.nz
info@sunsettattoo.co.nz
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