![]() ![]() Take Sulu'ape Keone Nunes (Native Hawaiian), a Kahuna Ka Uhi, or master tattooer, working in kakau, the Polynesian art of tattoo. In order to properly present the widest swath of information possible while properly celebrating and displaying various Indegenous stories and methods, Ancestral Ink's guests run a wide gamut. Tattoo is a living, breathing organism, and of the many cultural areas faced with both loss of knowledge and appropriation, the art form is a minefield. Logistically and practically, however, that was easier said than done. With an idea firmly in place, the Kuali'is and Dunnill set about bringing the tattooers and panelists to Santa Fe. "What's happening is that we're seeing a renewal and revival of traditional tattoo, especially among a younger generation," Carolyn says, "but with the young Indigenous people, there are many who want to understand their traditional protocols, and what tattooing is from their culture, so it was important for us to have this symposium to be able to bring stories and clarity and understanding to those who want to move forward." Kuali'i's mother, Carolyn Melenani Kuali'i (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian and Mescalero Apache), is the president and executive director of Kua'aina Associates Inc., a nonprofit based in Berkeley, California, that is focused on maintaining and celebrating Indigenous tradition through arts, culture and Earth politics. "We started to become friends, and he introduced me to his mom, who is a badass, and she started calling me for ideas and resources my art is being the bridge-builder." ![]() "I have known Ian since we were kids, but I found him again through my podcast a contemporary Hawaiian artist to interview!" Dunnill says. Enter artist and Broken Boxes Podcast founder/host Ginger Dunnill, a well-known creator in her own right and a celebrated connector of people and artists. ![]() A beacon needs to be shined on that."īut Kuali'i, who recently showed solo at Hecho a Mano gallery, knew he couldn't do it alone. "I feel like they've been completely overlooked," Kuali'i notes of Indigenous tattoo traditions, "but there's this huge revival happening, and not just in the American tradition, but across the planet, throughout the South Pacific and even within Europe, Canada. ![]() With an assist from SFAI, the event is free. On Sunday August 18, during Indian Market, tattooers from various tribal affiliations and countries, as well as numerous writers, activists and educators, come together to talk all things tattoo and demonstrate the work and artistry. The upcoming symposium at the Santa Fe Art Institute space on the Midtown Campus is a day-long ode to Indigenous tattoo culture spanning the globe-from its ancient beginnings up to today-and the many artists working with a traditional reverence and practicum. That flash was an event dedicated to Indigenous tattoo tradition. Meanwhile, both LT Duarte and Ty’Esha Reels will remain national stars every Tuesday night when “Ink Master” airs.īut while the show plays out, their current “reality” is still the same:īoth go to work in their small shops every day, two young artists hoping to make it."It was a literal vision," artist Ian Kuai'i (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian and Mescalero Apache) tells SFR. They’ll only say it’s not over - the three who made the final cut will be called back to film a deciding competition that will air in the 16th and final episode. She’s not giving up how far she got on the show. But it taught me how to express how I feel out loud. “Before the show,” she said, “I didn’t like confrontation. She told me it even changed her personality. “We still talk a lot of junk but we get along. “He said I was full of it, said I was very arrogant.” Two years going against people who’ve been doing it 15 years or more? You’re going to get destroyed.’ ” “I told him every day, ‘You don’t belong here, baby boy pack your bags and go home - you’re rolling with the big boys. What kind of things did she say to her rival, LT? People are like ‘Your work sucks.’ I’d never say that to a tattoo artist even if I thought it, but when people say that to your face, you fire back.” You’re exhausted, but the competition’s always on.” ![]()
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