#Tattoo4Tonga: Pacific Artists fundraising for Ha’apai
Driven by Stanley Lolohea from Urban Kupesi Tattoos, TATTOO 4 TONGA is a unique event seeking to raise funds for Tropical Cyclone Ian relief for the people of Ha’apai, Tonga.
Featuring Polynesian tattooists Duss Malaesilia, Kirby Tavita, Geoffrey Siale Thomas as well as Stanley Lolohea, TATTOO 4 TONGA will be a one-day live art event at Fresh Gallery Otara on Saturday 15 February. Audiences will have the opportunity to watch the artists working live from 9am – 2pm, artworks and prints will also be available for sale with ALL proceeds going to support Cyclone Ian relief efforts in Ha’apai.
- Tattoo appointments need to be made in advance by contacting the individual artists – see below for details.
Supported by Auckland-based Tongan art collective, No’o Fakataha, TATTOO 4 TONGA will also be an opportunity to pick up artworks and prints by contemporary Tongan artists that are priced to sell! PIMPI + Friends will also be selling a range of artworks from contemporary Pacific artists; details of which will be released via Facebook leading up to the event.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian hit Tonga’s low-lying islands of Ha’apai in early January with wind speeds of up to 279km/hour. The Category 4 cyclone caused widespread destruction with homes and buildings flattened and thousands left homeless.
TATTOO 4 TONGA is an opportunity for Pacific artists in Auckland to contribute their time, energy and skills towards supporting Ha’apai in an act of Pacific solidarity.
EVENT DETAILS:
TATTOO 4 TONGA event enquiries: Ema Tavola, Mb 027 5779369 / Email pimpi@pimpiknows.com
Tattoo Artists:
Stanley Lolohea (Urban Kupesi Tattoos)
Instagram: @urbankupesitattoos
Contact: urbankupesitattoos@gmail.com
Duss Malaesilia
Instagram: @Marxduss
Contact: facebook.com/tattdussmarx.malaesilia
Kirby Tavita (Sanctify Tattoo Studio)
Instagram: @owingcollective
Email: kirbytavita@hotmail.co.nz
Geoffrey Siale Thomas
Instagram: @teddytatts
Contact: facebook.com/geoff.teddytatts
Venue:
Date: Saturday 15 February 2014
Time: 9am – 2pm
Venue: Fresh Gallery Otara, 5/46 Fairmall, Otara Town Centre, South Auckland
Venue enquiries: Nicole Lim, Gallery Coordinator, Ph (09) 261 8030 / Email Nicole.Lim@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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