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Rank Sweetness21's Maori Tattoo on RankMyTattoos.com.
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| From:
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Mandi
on January 24, 2006 |
| Comment: |
very nice for free handing! |
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| From:
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Robert
on February 13, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Wow, I love it! I wish I could find someone in Tucson, AZ who could do that for me. |
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| From:
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chock
on February 28, 2006 |
| Comment: |
its not bad but its not maori, its not moko or a kuratahi, the artist should have done her home work if she wants to copy maori designs. |
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| From:
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Ryan
on March 1, 2006 |
| Comment: |
The previous comment should be more pointed to me as I based the concept off of several variations of Maori designs. True, it is not a true Maori but it seems to be what most people can identify with when labeling.
Nevertheless, Jen (the artist) rocked the freehand like no other!
-ryan |
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| From:
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chock
on March 6, 2006 |
| Comment: |
are you from new zealand? do you know the culture? it has no story or meaning to it. anyone can draw a design its the mana that makes it maori not the design. check www.mokoink.com there all done freehand and there original, im not sure how you get variations of maori designs as every moko or kuratahi is different.
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| From:
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Ryan
on March 7, 2006 |
| Comment: |
I am not from New Zealand and certainly not from the culture. If you are alluding to authenticity, i didn't have it done my an original method either, but that is not the overlying poing. For the purposes of the mases, my original description is easiest to understand and comprehend. In reality, all tattoo's and designs are original, but people seem to categorize them into seperat buckets ... ie tribal, old school, japanese etc. I did do my homework and the design I made has significant meaning for me (even while straying from cultural concept), which I can not and wil not relate on this site. |
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| From:
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john
on March 8, 2006 |
| Comment: |
if your tattoo is not an original maori tattoo you should change the design detail at the top of the page then?
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| From:
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chock
on March 8, 2006 |
| Comment: |
i am from new zealand and i am maori.
for the purpose of the masses this is just a tribal piece not anything to do with the indeginous people of my country.
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| From:
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nobby nob brain
on March 11, 2006 |
| Comment: |
who cares where its from just as long as it looks good....maori's should be proud that others like there tattoos and want to wear them....so grow up! |
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| From:
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Slim
on March 13, 2006 |
| Comment: |
1st off, Robert in Az., theres more talent in Ph. Az. than you can shake a dead cat at. All ya gotta do is hunt it down,but, ya won't get work Jenn's caliber of work for a 6 pack, ya know what I mean? Nobby, ya hit it on the head. The rest of ya deep thinkers can fuck off. Ryan, I bet ya learned somethin' about labels uh? Jenn, you're the bomb!!!! Great job, TALENT! Nuff said...........10..................... |
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| From:
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Ryan
on March 14, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Slim, thanks man ... And there is a lot of amazing artist in AZ ... even all the way up in Flagstaff! |
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| From:
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chock
on March 27, 2006 |
| Comment: |
people need to realise its not just about looks, and maori people are not proud that people copy there heritage it is an insult.
it was never said that it wasnt good work i just said it wasnt maori.
maori people are labeled.
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| From:
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Ryan
on March 29, 2006 |
| Comment: |
But who isn't labled? Black, Arab, Asain etc. Do you think a Korean likes being called asain? Probably not but it's what happens and peoplpe accept it. |
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| From:
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259naloboy
on March 30, 2006 |
| Comment: |
u gotta realize dat da maori people dont want people making marks and saying its maori. i can see why you labeled it in that category but moko is a cultural thing..but ne ways...dis is one nice tat.. |
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| From:
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Kia ora folks!
on April 3, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Hoani here... saw this page when browsing w/ my mates for Inia Taylor's tattoo shop. For the record, I am Maori from the Ngati Porou iwi (tribe); I also have moko done on several parts of my body... and I would just like to comment on the artist who inked this design - it is pretty good work! But is far from kirituhi and even farther from moko, if that's what a lot of people are looking for... but it looks good! Certainly better looking than Robbie Williams' piece, although I see a lot of similarity here. The fact that it doesn't mean a thing should be a credit to the artist in that she did not go out of her way to plagiarize an ancient art form and have the design mean something that is meant for somebody (you get killed for that back in the day!). Yes, we're very serious about ta moko (our iwi more than any other), but we're not killjoys either to not appreciate art. To the chap who says he is from Aotearoa, I understand but don't let the slip-up of the heading bind your britches; I don't think our tupuna would mind, especially when fellow nati actually does moko on pakeha or non-maori. |
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| From:
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chock
on April 3, 2006 |
| Comment: |
if you looking for inia hes at www.mokoink.com he works tuesday to saturday up in grey lynn if hes not there carl will sort you out!! kia ora hoani.. |
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| From:
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doesnt matter
on April 4, 2006 |
| Comment: |
chock how old are you? stop arguing about nothing. im proud of my culture to, but if i did what u are doing, id put a bad name on my people, and were already bad enouph, we just drink and kick ass. |
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| From:
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chock
on April 9, 2006 |
| Comment: |
what has age got to do with anything? is there an age limit on cultural sensitivity? do i have to be a certain age to respect and be proud of my culture? maybe you should have abit more pride in yours and not talk about others.
its healthy that people have there opinions but its seems that that only people that know the maori culture and its beleifs are myself and hoani, funny that we are both from new zealand aye.
im 44 by the way.
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| From:
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Hoani
on April 11, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Kia ora koutou katoa! hey mates, u guys shouldn't be butting heads; for the record, I don't see anything wrong with the piece, other than it's description (should've just labeled it 'tribal'). I do have mates that would take offense to that so this response is more for the people (including the owner of this piece) who really has no idea what this artform means to the tangata whenua. Chock, I understand where you're coming from bro - we support tino rangatiratanga wholeheartedly; but I also understand what "doesn't matter" means (somewhat) - to that chap, ko wai to iwi mate? Trying to grasp what you said but it seems like nonsense - "we're already bad enough, we just drink and kick ass"? What, you've been watching "Once Were Warriors" too many times, bro? Because I can tell you right now that that's not how the whanau conduct themselves - sorry to bust your bubble mate, just one of those people that don't like being labeled stereotypically (if you are from Aotearoa, you'd understand)... Back to ta moko, my pieces were done by fellow nati Mark Kopua (Te Uhi; one of only a handful brethren in the world that knows traditional Ta Moko) - look him up sometime. |
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| From:
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Hoani
on April 11, 2006 |
| Comment: |
... one more thing, to the owner of this piece - aside from the kowhaiwhai patterns on your tattoo, that design is more Marquesan or Tahitian (if you wanna be more specific). My cousin is Samoan and he still has family in Tahiti; he got a couple of pieces done down there at Papeete - you get familiar really quick with the designs. By the way, in case you thought this piece wouldn't raise an eyebrow from a fellow Maori, if you ever run into one, make sure you say you're not from Tai Rawhiti (because that's what I would think, looking at all the koiri pieces in your design!) - my regards to Jen tho for flow of the design... not bad! =) |
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| From:
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Ryan
on April 12, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Hoani,
Thank yo for your feedback and I appreciate the correction. Understandably I can see where offense may be taken, and I in no way meant any offense to your and others culture. I will certainly be aware and mention that I'm not "Tai Rawhiti" - good heads up. This peice was designed and made with specific meaning for me and with no "pictoral help/imagas" to go from it turned up as it is. The whole Maori thing cam from a guy in Denver who claimed to be Maori and said it was indicitave of his culture. Obviously I took that to heart from a possible phony. Nevertheless I will change the title as soon as I can figure out how to.
Thanks Hoani, and I'll tell Jen of your comment.
-Ryan |
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| From:
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sweetness21
on April 12, 2006 |
| Comment: |
So does anybody know how to change the Title of the peice ... I can't seem to find the place to do that? -Ryan |
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| From:
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Hoani
on April 13, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Kia ora Ryan - I wouldn't bother changing it anymore, bro... I think this thread had been exhausted to death already! No biggie anymore - I think everyone had made their point. To the chap that you spoke with and claim he's Maori, he still may be one - there are quite a few Kiwis that live outside of Aotearoa (NZ), but have never been back (or been there at all)... those are the brethren that we're trying to reach! If you're piece was done with a personal meaning behind it, then you have at least honored the very essence in why moko is so sacred to us - that is, that each design has its own wairua ("spirit")... I see nothing wrong with that. Jen looks like she created this with enough 'non-specifics' that I don't think that anyone with Maori ancestry wearing moko would read into this (even one from Tai Rawhiti - I meant the last post tongue-in-cheek) - tat designs are always the artist's responsibility, regardless of origin... I can't speak for everyone because there are folks that are more sensitive about this issue than others - I can understand that as well. Anyways, all's well that ends well... enjoy your tat and draw strength from it whenever you need it - Ka kite ano folks! Noho ora mai ra (stay well) - Hoani (Ngati Porou / Ngati Toa Rangatira) |
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| From:
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cyn
on April 16, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Gorgeous piece! LOVE the style. working on a sleeve in similar style myself... and as for what anyone wants to label it as...It's a tattoo...a work of art... |
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| From:
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Don S - Toronto
on April 22, 2006 |
| Comment: |
All you haters and experts - shut the hell up with the negativity. This site is to show-off tattoos and get people to rate them based how we "like" them. It's not about authenticity, artistic balance, technique, or anything else!!! It's about someone putting their art out there so others can appreciate, not hate!!! And you guys wonder why there's war in the world! Ryan bro, your tattoo rocks!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| From:
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omega zeeb?
on April 22, 2006 |
| Comment: |
All tattos should be personal and have some kind of meaning to you and i have to say the design and the artwork and line detail are amazing
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To Don S - Ama, TX
on April 25, 2006 |
| Comment: |
... and it's because we really have no solid cultural history of our own (here in the west) that makes your point even more sad - we respect nothing! Pick something out there, make a claim that it's our own, then exploit it - yeah, that's the ticket! I believe that kind of mentality is what starts wars (kinda ironic, isn't it?)... The tat does ROCK (just in case your dumbass want to know) - and tattooing IS about authenticity and all that you mentioned above... you should read more about it before flapping your lips and going to a tat-shop and picking a fairy design on the wall for a butt-piece, like you most likely have!! |
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| From:
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Ryan
on April 26, 2006 |
| Comment: |
Okay ... so I find this string somewhat amusing. First off ... thank you to those who educate and thank you to those who give honest feedback and criticism. And to the haters .. oh well, they're always there.
Secondly ... this peice has an incredble personal story that represents not only a journey but a future ... to me. The former label "maori" was to help identify the closest (in what I thought) design it looked like. Maori designs have more meaning and history than a simple "tribal" piece (in some cases), so I thought the fit was good. Hoani clarified.
And lastly ... no fairly butt flash my friend Don. But I've been thinking about it. LOL
Take care - Ryan |
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| From:
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chipgreen13
on May 21, 2006 |
| Comment: |
chock is a cock!! |
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| From:
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ben poi
on May 25, 2006 |
| Comment: |
kia ora hoani. i live in australia and have klost my father when i was 5. i have been told i am from the same tribe. do u know mark poi? |
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| From:
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ben poi
on May 25, 2006 |
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sorry i should tell you more. i lost my father when i was five and have lost all contact with my fathers side as my mother is auistralian and have had troulbe finding them. my family is from gisbourne if you could help me i would much appriate it. cheer
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| From:
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Hoani
on June 5, 2006 |
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Turanga Nui a Kiwa!! Kia ora Ben! Nice to hear from a fellow nati, especially one next door almost, in good ol' Australia! Sorry to hear bout your koro, bro - mine is still around but not at all attached (or want to be) with our iwi.. which is the reason why many of us are reaching out to our fellow "lost" mates! Visit this site: http://www.maori.org.nz/ and check out the whakapapa section - almost guaranteed you'd find extended whanaunga logged in already... good luck bro! |
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| From:
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joaquin
on August 16, 2006 |
| Comment: |
i´m crazy about your work. I have been looking for a tatoo like this for months, and now I have find it. pleace would you send me a bigger picture to see beter the design?.
joaco_uni88@hotmail.com |
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| From:
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luke6996
on April 23, 2007 |
| Comment: |
people who are not maori just get the tattoo as fashion, fact |
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| From:
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Nicola
on October 9, 2007 |
| Comment: |
Please people if you want a "Maori tattoo" the only way you can get it done properly is by a Maori person themselves. Do yourselves a favour and come to Aotearoa/New Zealand & learn a bit about it and then get one done here perhaps.
I am Maori and yes I have a ta moko (Maori tattoo), so I am biased. But I have to respond to some of the utterly stupid comments above, such as "Maori should be flattered...blah blah blah". Yes just like singers should be flattered when I go and copy their songs, or artists when I copy their paintings - yeah right. DUH! Think about it! Ta Moko is an intellectual property right, just like anything else. Pity it is so hard to copyright culture! Stop appropriating our designs and making them into 'fashion' etc. It's sooooo disrespectful. We have been fighting to protect our indigenous rights and knowledge since 1840 and matters like this aren't helping. At the very least, please stop calling them Maori tattoos cos they aren't!
Sorry to vent here. I actually like your tatts a lot. I just want people to think about things from a different point of view and hear how we really feel. If 1 person from overseas decides against getting a "Maori tatt" after reading this I'll be happy. |
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| From:
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me
on November 10, 2007 |
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Fuck the Maoris |
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| From:
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Phil
on November 12, 2007 |
| Comment: |
Very cool tat! but it's neither Maori nor Marquesan (neither Tahitian as there is no such a style, as there is almost no record of traditional Tahititan tattoo designs! they were lost) The artist just based the design on koru shapes (characteristic of Maori tattoo) and adapted them to her own style. See on this page the difference between Marquesan, Maori and Samoan influence: http://www.tribaltattooforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=527 |
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| From:
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Sweetness21
on November 13, 2007 |
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Thank you veryone for your comments ... please do not slander the Maori people (aka "me" on 11/10).
I have deep respect for the Maori people and culture which is why I drew my design in similar fashion (but not correct or exact as pointed out above).
ryan |
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| From:
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FatBoy Toa
on March 22, 2008 |
| Comment: |
I think Ryan now realises how cultural sensitivity can affect opinion, however it must be realised that he did NOT set out to offend anyone, and as the saying goes, "Imitation is the highest from of flattery" I know of many Kiwi and Aussie bros who have indians,skulls, harleys etc tattooed on their bodies but have no direct connection to the origins of those tatts. I too am Ngati Porou (Tai Rawhiti) and live in Australia, but my bloodlines dictate that when I get a Maori moko, it must be absolutely correct in every aspect, and even sanctioned by my elders. Hey Ryan, when ya get to Scottsdale AZ check out the bar that has all the foreign bank notes above the bar. There should be an Aussie $5 note with ny name on it (Dale Mulligan) Arizona rocks and the women are beautiful. |
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