Tall Tales and Tattooing

This weeks episode of tall tales and tattooing is a little different to the normal format of the show, its a tattoo history episode and I tell the story of Henri C Swift who tattooed at 165 Cuba street in wellington in 1908. Henri was a pioneer of electric tattooing in New Zealand, immigrating from the Uk in 1907. With the invention of the electric tattoo machine in 1891 Henri was of the new breed who saw tattooing as a commercial business, he was an astute businessman making use of all the advertising that was available to him at the time, though his time in Wellington wasn't an easy life. I would like to say thank you to Rich Hardy for helping me with my research into this episode, the photo of Henri was sourced by him and shared in his buzz worthy tattoo article " a tattoo journey"

Spider Sinclairs Two hands tattoo has become one of Auckland’s most well known studios, sitting on the ever trendy Ponsonby road. When I first worked there 10 years ago it felt fresh and different, I’d never worked in a studio like it.

I sat down with Spider after hours to talk about the years leading up to him travelling the world. Juggling being a shop owner with constantly being on the road, the artists that influenced him, changing styles and how he’s found a balance he’s now very happy with.

Tim works out of his private studio Pacific tattoo in sunny Otaki on the coast an hour north of wellington. He has been tattooing for over twenty years and is living proof you can make a fresh start any time in life, starting his tattoo journey in his thirties. He got started with some of the most influential tattoo artists of the time Sua sulu'ape Paulo and Leo Zulueta. Moving to Los Angeles to apprentice at an exciting time for music, art and culture.

Pip has been involved in the tattoo industry in New Zealand for the last twenty years, along with tattooing she was also involved with organising the Auckland Ta Moko, Tatau, Tattoo convention in Auckland. She has taken a step back from tattooing but i sat down with her on a grey and rainy Auckland afternoon to talk about her two decades in tattooing.

Sacred tattoo has become a New Zealand institution, they just celebrated their 21st birthday and have lead the way for tattooing in australasia for many years. This weeks episode I sit down with owners Dean and Dan and find out what makes their partnership and business so successful.