ART FROM THE HEART

One of the awesome things about custom tattoo studios is that the tattooists are actually killer artists, as opposed to people who can simply trace a line. Clients can get a unique piece of art on their bodies - not just something photocopied from a book or chosen off the wall.

Exhibitions like Art from the Heart, at K Road's Tattooed Heart, are an ideal way to showcase this ace talent of tattooists and pals. It is also an opportunity, one imagines, for the artists to extend themselves further than they may be able to working with skin as a canvas, and ink as a sole medium.

For tattoo-fiends and virgin-skins alike, it is a chance to snap up some amazing work for their walls.

My choice picks from the exhibit included the work of Tom Tom, who has been tattooing a number of years now, but started his creative career as a graffiti artiste. The remnants of his street style still present in his dreamlike paintings, although they are awash with neo-traditional tattoo imagery.

Because I am a long-time fan of the work of Ed Roth, I was really drawn to the twisted Rat Fink figures painted by Benjamin Raddatz, whom I don't know, but am keen to check out more of his stuff.

The dark work by apprentice Aziel was also epically impressive. He had gone all out and put the pictures up in some stunning frames which was the cherry on top for these intricate depictions.

In contrast, the straight-to-corrugated-cardboard drawings of international artist Destroy Troy (who guested at the studio earlier this year) were so simple, but still incredibly bold and eye-catching. When the dude comes back I will be first in line to get tattzz from him.

I only managed to get a few snaps of the artwork, as there were gangs of pesky people standing in the way, but look how cute and happy they all are!

Logan and Sam Rulz.

Aaron, Lucy and... onlooker.

Adam Craft and friend.

Destroy Troy.

I don't know these people's names (dope tee though)

... or these ones.

Liam AKA Gasp and a pal.

Such a pretty dress.

Oh hai.

Benjamin Raddatz and pal.

Rat Fink Rulz.

Tom, Fats, Tanya and another lady.

Fats.

Lucy and Naomi.

Work by Aaron. SOLD!

Mr Hat.

Lovely ladies Lucy and Naomi.

Work by Tom McMillan

How cute is this family?

Some more people I don't know. I should start asking names.

Work by Tom - conveniently placed by snack table. 

Night night.

Art from the Heart Exhibition

The Tattooed Heart, 202 Karangahape Road, Auckland
Thursday November 24

FEATURING THE WORK OF: AARON (AZIEL) - ADAM CRAFT - BEN O'GRADY - BENJAMIN RADTATS - DESTROY TROY- KIWI MATT - LIESJE - NICK VON K JEWELLERY - PORK CHOP - NAOMI SMITH - TANJA JADE (MISERY) - TIM DYWELSKA - TOM TOM.