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3. Borneo Tattoo Showcase At Pustaka Miri Received Overwhelming Response

Borneo Tattoo Showcase At Pustaka Miri Received Overwhelming Response

Posted on 11 June 2012

MIRI – ‘Nicely done!’ – Deborah Nangan ~ ‘Great art to explore!’ – Noorashikin Mohd. Sabri ~ ‘Organize it again!’ – Stephen Wong – these were some of the comments received from visitors to the Tattoo Showcase.

Pustaka Miri organized a showcase on ‘Getting To Know Borneo Tribal Tattoo’ (Mengenali Tatu / Seni Cacah Suku Bangsa Borneo) recently and it attracted some 600 visitors to the library.

 
The showcase was held for two (2) days on 24th and 25th February 2012. It started off with an exhibition in the library’s Ground Floor Foyer and opened to public from 11:00am to 7:00pm on both days.

The purpose of the showcase was to share knowledge on the dying art of traditional Borneo tattoo in the effort of culture preservation, in particular Iban tattoos.

On Friday, 24th February 2012, Ismail Lumut – who is a Borneo tattoo art researcher and enthusiast, presented a talk on the subject. He was joined by a renowned Sarawak tattoo artist Robert Mayau from Kapit.


Both explained the significant aspects of getting tattoos for the tribes in Sarawak as well as the meaning of the traditional tattoos.

The second day saw Robert showing his skills in doing the rare hand-tap tattoo. The demonstration was held in the exhibition area. The intricate and unique yet time-consuming technique demonstration attracted many visitors thronging the library.


Robert, who is an internationally acclaimed tattooist, was also at hand throughout the exhibition to answer questions posed by visitors.


Apart from the demonstration and talk, there were booths selling tattoo-related t-shirts, books and other merchandises. There were a number of visitors who went and got themselves permanent or temporary (henna) tattoos during the showcase.

The event was made even more memorable with a gathering by nine (9) local cars and motorcycle clubs. More than 100 cars, motorcycles and scooters were put on display in Pustaka Miri’s front courtyard.