An emerging ta moko artist says women are featuring prominently in the renaissance of the traditional tattoo.
Waatea News reports Taryn Beri, who studied at the Toihoukura School of Maori Arts and Design at Gisborne Polytechnic, has been awarded a Nga Karahipi a Te Waka Toi scholarship to study with Tolaga Bay toi moko artist, Mark Kopua.
Ms Beri says Mr Kopua and the head of the Toihoukura School, Derek Lardelli, are very supportive of women mastering the art.
Ms Beri was trained in graphic design and ran a clothing business, Blackberi Aotearoawear, but like an increasing number of wahine, she was attracted to ta moko.
She says ta moko is the ultimate art form because of the layers of knowledge it incorporates.
