Hi, I'm the Artist known as Albatross & Tattoo is my Kungfu! 

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I have been an Artist my entire life, both my parents were Artists as well. My mum did amazing portraits, my dad, Tuhoe, a master carver. 

 

I did it for my Son. Although many of my family wore full face tattoos it was an integral part of my life through culture, I never thought of doing it myself.  But, my son just kept at me to tattoo so I could help people with my art. I can't/won't deny my kids so really, I did it to stop him nagging, I mean to make him happy. Crazy thing was... As soon as I was in skin.. I felt my ancient blood lines waking up ... I'll never forget the feeling...I woke the Tanisha.

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​​​​​The Taniwha within ~ I was around 10 when one of my elder cousins who used to do INCREDIBLE tattoos suddenly stopped. I asked why? He told me the church told him to. They got to him and had him believing all kinds of crazy shit.  I could tell he really missed it and was in pain from being severed from his Taonga, (his gift) I saw his soul diminish from not living his purpose.  So,  in my heart I tattoo for him too and make sure each tattoo I put my heart into it. 

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Tatau, It lives through me and I live through it.​​​​​​ ~ I'm not here for the many, I'm here for the few. 

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I decided not to use Ai to write this, so you get an idea of who I am, how and why I tattoo.  The connection you hopefully get for your artist is so unique, it's either there or it's not. The ink comes to life born of that connection so the experience of getting inked by that person will be locked into that tattoo... for better or for worse, so chose wisely. 

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​Thankyou for reading,

Albatross

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