Tuigamala Andy Tauafiafi started out in fine arts before making the transition to tattooing. He now runs his own studio in Wellington and is part of the Pacific tatau (tattoo) exhibition, Sui faiga ae tumau fa’avae, and demonstrations at City Gallery Wellington's Deane Gallery.

Tuigamala Andy Tauafiafi started out in fine arts before making the transition to tattooing. He now runs his own studio in Wellington and is part of the Pacific tatau (tattoo) exhibition, Sui faiga ae tumau fa’avae, and demonstrations at City Gallery Wellington's Deane Gallery.

The exhibition explores artists who practice customary tatau and incorporate contemporary designs, resulting in a new art form that speaks to both one’s culture as well as the realities of urban life.

Other artists featured include Ismael Jaco ‘J’ Augustine Schmidt and Bryan ‘Juse One’ Visala.

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During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

All day, every day

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Traditional and fine line detail.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Knowing that I'm marking someone for life.

How does your environment affect your work?

My environment is very family orientated so the atmosphere is nice and relaxed so that eases the pressure.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

Both equally the same. If you don’t look at the big picture you can't focus on the details.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Never give up and strive for the best.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Our current exhibition. Sui faiga ae tumau fa'avae, show-casing where the Samoan tattoo came from... transitioning from the tattoo machine to the traditional Samoan tattooing with traditional tools.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

Su'a Paulo Sulu'ape – Traditional Samoan Tattooist

Tell us about the difference between normal tattoo and what you are presenting through your work?

My work is custom, free-style and really detailed which in other ways is double the work.

How can you mix the traditional with the contemporary?

A lot of my work we are doing this by using traditional patterns in contemporary forms and layouts.

What is your most outstanding piece of work?

A lot of people ask me this question... every piece I do is unique and I love them all, so in a way if I was to narrow it down to one piece... I haven't done it yet.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I'm a Samoan. Art has always been in my blood. I started out in Fine Arts and made the transition to tattooing. My biggest inspiration is Polynesian tattoos. Steve Ma Ching started me off and from there I've grown and worked alongside other tattoo artists around the world. Steve Looney, Bong, Tattoo Rich, Sulu'ape Family.....

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

Something to do with traveling or real estate.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Samoa!

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

Loud... so I can't hear the clients in pain....lol, it just gets me in the zone.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

Flag

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Sleep

What’s great about today?

That I got to see another day.

What’s your big idea for 2013?

If I tell you then that means it won't be a big idea for 2013 cos someone might steal it.....lol

* * * The Big Idea 10th Birthday Questions * * *

What does The Big Idea mean to you?

Inspiration.

What changes have you noticed in Tattooing in the past 10 years?

Its forever evolving in all aspects.

What are some of the opportunities and challenges for the next decade?

Opportunities: Exposing this art form to more people.
Challenges: To brake the stereo types attached to tattoos.

• Sui faiga ae tumau fa’avae at Deane Gallery, City Gallery Wellington until 7 October 2012.
  

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Tuigamala Andy Tauafiafi

Tuigamala Andy Tauafiafi (b. 1977), is a New Zealand-born artist of Samoan descent. In 1999 he gained a Diploma in Visual Arts from Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua and in 2003 he completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland. In 2005 he was encouraged by tattoo artist Steve Ma Ching to take up tattooing professionally. Ma Ching later invited Tauafiafi to work at Western Tattoos in Auckland where he refined his skills over a four year period.

In 2011 Tauafiafi opened his own studio, Taupou Tatau, on the corner of Dixon and Victoria Streets in Wellington. The studio comprises of fellow tatau artist Ishmael Jaco ‘J’ Augustine Schmidt, graffiti and tatau artist Bryan ‘Juse One’ Visala and the Killa Kut Krew barber collective. Tauafiafi’s designs frequently incorporate Samoan tatau patterning with elements from other cultures to create one-off works of art, a style he describes as ‘contemporary Polynesian’.