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LARS KRUTAK

Tattoo Anthropologist

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June 22, 2013

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Previous article MANY STITCHES FOR LIFE: THE ANTIQUITY OF THREAD & NEEDLE TATTOOING

larskrutak

Documenting the History of Tattoo one Mark at a Time
Tattoo Anthropologist / Author / Curator
If you happen to be in Taiwan the last week of Oct If you happen to be in Taiwan the last week of October, come join us at The Pacific Waves Symposium (10/28-29) and Festival (10/31-11/1) to follow. The line-up of presenters, including Dr. Sean Mallon (@irish_uso) of the Te Papa Museum (NZ) and cultural tattoo practitioners (@suluape_keone @melanesianmarks @cudjuy_tattoo ... ) is legendary and for more details please visit @national_museum_of_prehistory Earlier that week on October 24-25, I will be co-hosting special events surrounding a new exhibition at the @shungyemuseum in Taipei focusing on Indigenous tattooing and textiles. From Hainan Island to Taiwan, Nagaland to Myanmar and beyond, you will have the opportunity to experience the incredible weaving and tattooing of the Li people, special lectures, photography and book signings (that would be me!) focusing on the tattoo traditions of Asia, a screening of Emily Shen's (@emilyshen.doc) new documentary on Li tattooing of Hainan Island, exquisite large format photography of Chin tattooing by Jens Uwe Parkitny (@jensburma) and a special presentation on Paiwan tattooing by Cudjuy Patjidres (@cudjuy_tattoo). More details to come! So get ready for an incredible week in Taiwan celebrating Indigenous tattooing heritage and practice across Asia and beyond! #tattoo #tattoos #taiwan #indigenous #tattooing
Humbled to have been invited to contribute some of Humbled to have been invited to contribute some of my photography to the TATAU – FREEDOM | IDENTITY | MEMORY exhibition which is now open at the @varldskulturmuseet in Gothenburg, Sweden. ☮️ This visionary photographic exhibition explores the women's role in tattoo history - both as carriers of tradition and as active agents in the renewal and reawakening of this ancient cultural practice. ☮️ Tattoos are one of humanity’s oldest forms of expression, and throughout history they have been used to mark identity, life transitions, spirituality, and social belonging. In many cultures, they also function as a living language passed between generations. ☮️ On September 2, I will present a special lecture on the global heritage of Indigenous women's tattooing featuring archival film and footage from the recent documentary (2025) Treasure of the Rice Terraces focusing on the life and work of Kalinga master mambabatok Apo Whang-Od Oggay of the Philippines, the world's oldest practicing tattooist that I have known for twenty years. ☮️ If you can make the journey, TATAU will be open through January 2027. cover image feat.: @kanahus.tattoos by Cody Lucich (Maidu) #tattoo #film #sweden #tattoos #women @treasuretattoodoc @Världskulturmuseet
Kayan tattooist and her assistant at work, near Lo Kayan tattooist and her assistant at work, near Long Jegan, Sarawak, 1956. Collection of LK. ☮️ The rituals surrounding Kayan tattooing were diverse as were the individual motifs that were reserved for certain social classes. ☮️ To learn more, see my book @tattoo_traditions_of_asia ☮️ 🏴‍☠️Happy #nationaltattooday!!!🏴‍☠️ #tattoo #borneo #kayan #sarawak
Woman from Mailu or Suau Island, Papua New Guinea, Woman from Mailu or Suau Island, Papua New Guinea, ca. 1935. Her facial tattoos were hand-tapped by a female tattooist who specialized in this work with a "saporo" thorn bound into a small split stick, and hit with a wooden mallet. The patterns were stenciled upon the skin with grass dipped into a liquid pigment derived from burnt tree resin. Facial motifs are inspired by nature including the zigzagging frigate bird motif on either side of the forehead. Facial tattooing was accompanied by a festive public event, and the tattooist received a payment of valuable local items (feathers, strands of arm shells, string bags, and foodstuffs). Mailu and Suau women also wore full body tattoos (arms, hands, torsos, etc.) but that's another story... #papuanewguinea #tattoo #tattoos #handtapping #women
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