Dating back to 2100 BC, The Egyptians are one of the most well known ancient cultures for tattoos. Women had tattoos that were limited to females only.

Designs used were generally lines and dots around the body. They were all based on amulets and were valued by the ancient Egyptians but were carved from metal and stone rather than tattooed on skin.

http://people.umass.edu/aes1/origins.html

These types of tattoos were thought to be applied by puncture with a needle or other sharp instrument steeped in pigment, much like the prisoner tattoos of later times.

In Japan, tattoos had been originally used on clay figures. Japan’s earliest acknowledged tattoo is from 297 AD and has been demonstrated to be for decorative purposes only.

Irezumi is a Japanese word for engraving or inserting ink into the skin which would leave a permanent mark decorating the body. But for many years tattoos were associated with gangs therefore many Japanese business banned customers from publicly exposing their tattoos pushing tattooists underground.

For the ancient Chinese, tattooing was applied as a penalty for criminal activity, putting such visible marks on a person to forever brand him as being a law breaker.

http://www.tattoopins.com/1041/jumping-to-conclusions/

Tattooing has been a part of Filipino life since pre-Hispanic colonization of the Philippine Islands, tattooing in the Philippines to some were a form of rank and accomplishments, some believed that tattoos had magical qualities.

http://www.jinxiboo.com/blog/2010/2/20/history-of-filipino-tattoos-tattooed-mummies-rites-of-passag.html

In Samoa, the traditional male tattoo in Samoa is called the pe'a and the traditional female tattoo is called the malu. The word tattoo is believed to have originated from the Samoan word tatau.

Honoring their tradition, Samoan tattoo artists made this tool from sharpened boar's teeth fastened together with a portion of the turtle shell and to a wooden handle. Patterns of lines forming to make all different types of geometric shapes for the malu, and for the pe'a larger areas of black ink covered and lines and rows of triangles.

http://nerdbrarian.tumblr.com/post/42111704573/xcentriq-samoan-tatau-traditional-tattoo

Ta Moko is a form of tattooing done by The Maori people. The process and application is highly sacred and like The Samoans, the designs connects the wearer to their whakapapa (geneology). To wear a moko on the face is to bear an undeniable declaration of who you are as a Maori.

Ta Moko these days are seen as intimidating, like the Irezumi in Japan, but it's a symbol of integrity, identity and prestige.

http://www.themaori.com/maori-tattoo

References:

Mangos, Therese & Utanga, John. (2011). Patterns of the past : tattoo revival in the Cook Islands. Auckland, N.Z. : Punarua Productions.

Maori Culture. (1999). Ta moko - significance of Maori tattoos. Retrieved from http://www.newzealand.com/travel/en/media/features/maori-culture/maori_ta-moko-significance_feature.cfm

History of Tattoos. (2014). History of Tattoos – Ancient Ink Revisited. Retrieved from http://historyoftattoos.org/

Kat Von D

BIO:

Born 8th March, 1982.

She is of Mexican/Argentinian descent.

Dropped out of school at the age of 16 to pursue a career in tattooing.

In 1998, she began working in her first professional shop, Sin City Tattoo.

She broke the Guinness World Record for most tattoos given by a single artist in 24 hours

Appeared in a TV Show called "Miami Ink", and soon went on to filming her own hit reality series "LA Ink" where she features her shop, High Voltage Tattoo.

WORK:

http://www.katvond.net/_html/galleryArtDrawingsP1.htm

http://www.katvond.net/_html/galleryArtDrawingsP1.htm

I felt more of a connection with these pieces as I myself am always doodling eyes (female majority). You know the saying "Eyes are the windows to your souls", I believe that wholeheartedly. Looking into a strangers eyes you can always tell how they're feeling whether they're happy, sad, sick, etc. Life drawing is so complex but I feel that the more you practise the better you will get.

http://www.katvond.net/_html/galleryArtDrawingsP1.htm

I find that her life drawings pour out so much emotion, the sketches are bold and show depth in all the right places yet there's a certain sincerity coming through the subjects eyes. God I wish I could draw like her!

VISUAL RESPONSE:

http://www.katvond.net/_html/galleryArtDrawingsP1.htm

I chose her above drawing (left one) to do my visual response on...

REFERENCES:

http://www.katvond.net/_html/bio.htm

http://www.katvond.net/_html/galleryArtDrawingsP1.htm

http://www.hollyscoop.com/kat-von-d/biography

Mister Cartoon

(Mark Machado)

BIO:

He is of Mexican/American descent.

Began his career as a graffiti artist in the 1980's.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, USA.

He's a tattooist and also designs album covers, logos, advertisements, and custom lowrider car murals.

He appeared in the documentary called "Scarface: Origins of a Hip Hop Classic", and a film is being made about his life

WORK:

http://hypebeast.com/2011/4/mister-cartoon-at-moca-art-in-the-streets

http://itsmikeonabike.blogspot.co.nz/2010/10/mister-cartoon-art.html

VISUAL RESPONSE:

I love the graffiti typo in the previous pic and how he has incorporated a character in the midst of it all.

Self-portrait sketch collaborating some of mister cartoons clown designs.

REFERENCES:

http://hypebeast.com/2011/4/mister-cartoon-at-moca-art-in-the-streets

http://www.skidrowtattoo.com/?cat=7

http://www.mistercartoon.com/

http://therealmrcartoon.blogspot.co.nz/

Don Ed Hardy

BIO:

He is of American descent.

Raised in Southern California, USA.

Graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking.

Studied in Japan in the 1980's.

Tattooist (now retired) liked to collaborate western and asian cultures.

In 1982 him and his wife formed Hardy Marks Publications and have written, edited and published over 25 books in alternative art.

Has a tattoo studio in San Francisco called Tattoo City.

VISUAL RESPONSE:

His designs reminded me somewhat of the mexican sugar skull designs so therefore I made a sketch incorporating both half sugar skull girl/half skull with Ed Hardy type decor aside the skull.

REFERENCES:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/don_ed_hardy/biography.php
http://www.hardymarks.com/deh/biography/

Robyn Kahukiwa

BIO:

New Zealand self-taught artist

Born in Sydney, Australia.

Award winning picture book writer and illustrator.

Ngati Porou

Robyn has since become a world renowned contemporary female maori artist with an extensive record of exhibitions over the last 25 years.

Robyn has gained acclaim through exhibitions in New Zealand,
the United States, England and Australia, most recently with the
Difference Celebrated exhibition at the Warwick Henderson Gallery, Auckland, and the New Zealand Natives Exhibition at the Montserrat Gallery, New York.

Kahukura (2010)

Robyn Kahukiwa

Screenprint (Ed. 30)

45 x 59cm

Her illustrations are bold and colourful making it easier for children to understand, but her artwork has illustrated a variety of books for adults as well as children.

Her other work such as 'Resistance/Te Tohenga' shows so much emotion which her illustrated figures play out. Maori identity and women empowerment also comes to mind. Political and so blatently real.

VISUAL RESPONSE:

Graffiti Girl #1

REFERENCES:

http://www.aucklandartgallery.com/the-collection/browse-artists/1268/robyn-kahukiwa

http://www.warwickhenderson.co.nz/exhibition/under-glass/

Bridget Riley

BIO:

Painter and Printmaker.

Born in Norwood, London.

She studied at Goldsmiths' College from 1949 to 1952, and at the Royal College of Art from 1952 to 1955.

Worked in mostly black and white and using simple geometric shapes - squares, lines and ovals.

The fashion industries in Britain liked the graphic patterns and decorative values. Then, Op-Art was cool, and Bridget Riley became Great Britains number one celebrity.

- A form of geometric abstraction.

Riley's 1960's op-artwork shows only black and white but really makes your eye wonder. It's 3-D like curves and lines produce movement, like optical illusions in those 3-D Magic Eye books you read as a child.

KEYWORDS:

HALLUCINOGENIC

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

OPTICAL FREQUENCIES

TONAL SCALES

GEOMETRIC FORMS

Paul Walsh

BIO:

Self-taught artist, illustrator, web designer and DJ.

Born in Rotorua, New Zealand.

He's been displaying his work online since 2000, and they've been purchased by collectors in the United States, Australia, Europe and throughout New Zealand.

painting the Chorus DSL Cabinets that you can find on the streets of Auckland – received international attention from websites such as My Modern Met, Laughing Squid, CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) and the CNN-affiliated Headline News, amongst many others.

His artwork has also been used by bFM, and been featured on CD and vinyl release by Fat Freddy’s Drop, Base FM, Alt TV, ‘Sione’s Wedding 2’, the TV show ‘The Almighty Johnsons’ and noise band

God Bows to Math.

While we had small group critiques, my felllow classmate suggested I look up 'Paul Riley' as my artwork reminded him of Riley's work. His characters are colourful, 2D characters (mostly animals) that grab your attention. His work on the DSL boxes in Auckland is amazing and eye-catching, he made them so much more attractive then what they looked like beforehand.

'3D Bunny'

Spraypaint and acryclic on reclaimed plywood, 60x80cm.

https://www.facebook.com/paulwalsh.artist

KEYWORDS:

GRAFITTI ART
EMBELLISHMENT

References:

http://thewondrous.com/street-artist-paul-walsh-creates-wonderful-paintings-on-new-zealands-telephone-utility-boxes/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheWondrous+(Wonderful+Weird+Things)

http://paulwalsh.co.nz/about/

https://www.facebook.com/paulwalsh.artist

David Hockney

BIO:

He's a painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer.

His early humorous paintings gained him a reputation of a leading pop artist though he has always denied being one.

He painted luxurious lifestyles and magical environments.

WORK:

http://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/articles-and-features/london-sightseeing-theatre-and-art.html

His work is quite mystical, his colour palette is bright and edgy I can see how people would relate his work to pop art. His other pieces are photo montages of other people - they remind me of puzzles or small similar windows into the subject's world of their own.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhYZGb5_UtZBwgQba5N-zMZnteWv3Fsm7v2nZUCkZ61OpyiZxOPSS5S3Uek7Q12jhdeAgtFFj-nr1t4EtIw-ZXFHmlF63cwjnK7Tsz4Z9QoQN4CDe0TfB4Ymeh8ENkF-T4Wnrk9ubeXM/s1600/hockney-cameraworks-stephen-spender-1000.jpg

REFERENCES:

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/jan/03/david-hockney-damien-hirst-rival-exhibitions

http://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/articles-and-features/london-sightseeing-theatre-and-art.html

Andy Warhol

(Andrew Warhola)

http://www.english-online.at/art-architecture/andy-warhol/andy-warhol-icon-of-pop-art-movement.htm

BIO:

Andy Warhol was the most popular figure in the pop art movement.

born on August 6, 1928

Andy Warhol’s parents came to America from Czechoslovakia at the beginning of the 20th century.

Warhol's art encompassed many forms of media, including hand drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silk screening, sculpture, film, and music. He was also a pioneer in computer-generated art.

WORK:

Campbell's Soup I (1968)
By Andy Warhol

Marilyn Diptych (1962)
By Andy Warhol

REFERENCES:

http://history1900s.about.com/od/artists/p/warhol.htm

CAPSTONE EXPLORATION

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Tattoo (Research)

Mangos, Therese & Utanga, John. (2011). Patterns of the past : tattoo revival in the Cook Islands. Auckland, N.Z. : Punarua Productions.

Maori Culture. (1999). Ta moko - significance of Maori tattoos. Retrieved from http://www.newzealand.com/travel/en/media/features/maori-culture/maori_ta-moko-significance_feature.cfm

Monday, 23 June 2014

Response for Gallery Visit (28/05/2014)

MY COUNTRY: Contemporary Art From Black Austraila

Sunday, 22 June 2014

Practitioners...

Kat Von D

VISUAL RESPONSE:

REFERENCES:

Mister Cartoon

REFERENCES:

Don Ed Hardy

REFERENCES:

Robyn Kahukiwa

REFERENCES:

Bridget Riley

Paul Walsh

David Hockney