Soul on the Outside

Award-winning tattooist Te Tangitu Netana, 37, famed for inking UK popstar Robbie Williams, is offering his services to residents of Colchester in Essex until the end of August. Netana is currently in the area visiting friends and family. He performed his first tattoo at the age of 17, becoming the official tattooist for three of his local tribes. “We believe the ink becomes the beginning of time,” Netana says. “Before there was any light, there was darkness. The black ink can represent our own past and all the knowledge that past contains in a symbol. By displaying this on our body, we give life to our ancestors and the knowledge they have, so it becomes our guidelines in life, helping us to navigate towards our goals. It then becomes a living thing, it is very spiritual.” Netana describes it as “wearing your soul on the outside”. Those interested in a Netana tattoo can visit the Facebook group, “I want a tattoo by Te Rangitu Netana”.