Results tagged “Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon Tribe”
07:35 PM
 The greatest gift of this blog is getting messages from y'all sharing your own beautiful works of art and the stories behind them. Unlike what reality TV shows tell us, not every tattoo has to have some great deep meaning. Much of my own tattoos were done simply because I like the way they look. But surrounding the tattoo -- whether it be the process, the symbolism, the design, and even just what your mama said about it -- is, indeed, a story. Fellow New Yorker, Elaine, sent me a message about how she arrived at her recent work of art and was gracious to let me share it with you. Elaine, who is of Filipino heritage, had commissioned West Coast-based artist Christian Cabuay for her own original Baybayin calligraphy. Baybayin was the ancient written language of the Philippines prior to the Spanish arrival in the 16th century. Christian is an expert in Baybayin, and I highly recommend exploring his site for tutorials and further information. Interestingly, Christian has a Baybayin translator on his site, but it comes with the warning not to use it for tattoos, as "the program is accurate but it's only as good as what you enter." As in most general tattoo advice, it's best to get it done custom and by an expert. With her custom calligraphy in hand, Elaine was looking for an artist to translate the design on her body. She found Black Tattoo Art and my writing on the Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon Tribe -- a group of people, largely based in the US, of Filipino ancestry, who are reviving Filipino tattoo traditions. The Tribe works with a number of tattooists around the world in translating the ancient tattoo patterns and writing on skin, and one studio they work with is Tattoo Culture in Brooklyn, NY. Tattoo Culture's renowned resident artist, Gene Coffey, worked with Elaine to create her Baybayin tattoo, incorporating his trademark splatter and color swath, resulting in this wonderful work shown above, which Elaine is "over the moon about." I love hearing that! In sharing her story, I wanted to convey that coming up with a work like Elaine's could often take time and a lot of research, but the result is worth every bit of it all.  |
TAGS: Baybayin Christian Cabuay Gene Coffey Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon Tribe tattoo Tattoo Culture |
04:08 PM
 Editor's note: I've been a big fan of the work of the Tatak Ng
Apat Na Alon Tribe, a group made up of largely young Filipino-Americans seeking to revive the tattoo traditions of their ancestors. One of the founders of the Tribe, tattooist Elle Festin, opened Spiritual Journey Tattoo last year, which offers traditional, hand-poked Filipino tattoos in addition to being a full service studio of all tattoo genres. For more info on Tatak Ng
Apat Na Alon and Elle's work, here's Tribe member Tina Astudillo-Ash's guest blog. By Tina Astudillo-Ash In the past few years, Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon (Mark of the Four Waves) Tribe has been blessed with continued momentum in their efforts to revive indigenous Filipino tattoos. The Tribe's family has grown throughout the United States, especially in California, as more people have reached out to get in touch with their Filipino roots through tattooing. The growing interest in the Tribe's work has allowed tattooist Elle Festin to continue to hone his skills at hand-poked tattoos. Elle utilizes several different hand-made tools, which he has been able to model after indigenous tools.  In
2008, the Tribe's work was further validated when Elle and other Tribe members including Zel Mayo and Jyroe (Jose Jimenez) traveled to the Philippines to
participate in the Cordillera Festival and meet Whang Od, one of the
last Kalinga tattooists in the world. Whang Od questioned and tested
Elle extensively about his tattoos and the motifs behind the patterns.
She was satisfied with his responses and she realized the
Tribe was sincere in its efforts to revive the art form. Whang Od
had confidence in Elle's skill and knowledge, and she invited him to
tattoo her. Elle obliged, applying a simple yet beautiful centipede
design on her upper back. Elle would later remark that even at over 90
years old, Whang Od did not flinch when getting tattooed. Elle also had
the opportunity to meet Whang Od's apprentice, her grand-niece. Although
still very young, her apprentice was eager to learn and continue the
sacred tradition. An encouraging sign tattooing will continue to
flourish in Kalinga culture. In 2011, Elle opened the Tribe's official tattoo studio, Spiritual Journey Tattoo & Tribal Gallery. The art found throughout the shop and applied on the walls pay homage to many indigenous cultures and their tattoo traditions. The shop also has a special room reserved only for applying tattoos by the traditional methods. Although a great majority of clients are seeking Filipino tattoos, the artists also do traditional American, Polynesian, color and black and grey tattoos.  The opening of
Spiritual Journey Tattoo has resulted in more positive exposure for the
Tribe and Filipino tattooing. In recent years, Filipino tattoos have
gained well-earned respect from other tattooing cultures. [Support and
encouragement have always been given by respected artists like Aisea
Toetu'u, Po'oino Yrondi, Orly Locquiao and Gilles Lovisa.] It is a testament to the significant impact of the beauty of
Filipino tattoos. Perhaps the most important result of this is reflected
in the growing number of older Filipino tattoo clients -- those who always
wanted to be tattooed but avoided getting them because they did not want
to be associated with the negative stigma surrounding tattoos. Through Spiritual Journey Tattoo & Tribal Gallery, the Tribe continues to educate the community about indigenous-style Filipino tattoos, as well as offer other traditional work and contemporary tattoo art. Spiritual Journey Tattoo & Tribal Gallery is located at 7159 Katella Avenue in Stanton, CA.  |
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