- Manu Farrarons
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Manu Farrarons is a Polynesian tattoo artist born in France in 1967 and grew up in Tahiti with the Polynesian culture. With his knowledge and mastery of Polynesian designs, he contributes actively to the fame of this ancestral art form.
Manu Farrarons
"Ocean Spirit" Full back by Manu Farrarons
Flowing feminine freehand tattoo by Manu Farrarons
Leg tattooed by Manu Farrarons. FreehandManu Farrarons is one the most famous and creative Tahitian tattoo artists. His art is a subtle mix of Polynesian styles and designs, mostly Tahitian and Marquesan, which he mixes with Māori and Hawaiian influences.
After years of practice and artistic creation, he has developed an undeniably personal style based on traditional Polynesian designs.
His creations consist of traditional Polynesian designs and meanings to which he adds a modern flow in order to create unique tattoos. Each one of his tattoos reflects the values, personality and personal history of the people who wear them.
Full leg tattooed by Manu Farrarons. Freehand creation.Contents
Biography
Born in 1967 in Cholet (France), of a painter mother and tattoo artist father, he spent his childhood in Tahiti and was immerged in the Polynesian life and culture.
His passion was born at an early age, as he started drawing Tahitian and Marquesan designs.
His father opened the first professional tattoo shop in Tahiti, which he owned until he passed it down to Manu. His growing curiosity made him notice the lack of available resources and pushed him to research traditional graphic elements that had been lost or forgotten. He started tattooing when he was just a teenager in Tahiti, at the age of 15.
After finishing high school, he successfully went on to study in order to become a school teacher. Even during his time as a school teacher, he never ceased to perfect his knowledge of Polynesian designs by researching them in Tahiti and Hawaii, where he had access to anthropological archives stored at Bishop Museum of Honolulu.
Today, his mastery of Polynesian styles and patterns made him one of the most renowned Tahitian tattoo artists on the international tattooing scene.
Career
Manu has been tattooing professionally since 1991, after he left his job as a school teacher in order to fulfill his passion. He took over his father’s tattoo shop in Papeete, Tahiti, and renamed it “Mana’o Tattoo”. In the Tahitian language the word “Mana’o” means “idea, knowledge or thought”. His tattoo studio has become an artistic nest for Polynesian tattoo lovers. Manu has created a place and an environment, which favors the creation of unique pieces that carry meaning.
Various companies and the media have noticed his talent and have commissioned him to create logos and designs. These include jewelry, clothes, hotel chains and telecommunication operators.
He has tattooed personalities like Ali Campbell and Astro from the band UB40, who played in Tahiti during their 2003 tour.
Manu Farrarons has also won prizes for his tattoos such as:- Tattoonesia Festival in 2005 in Moorea, French Polynesia
- Best Tribal Tattoo Artist at Ink’n’Iron International Tattoo Festival in 2008 in Long Beach, California
- 2nd Best Tribal Tattoos (male and female) at Sydney Tattoo and Body Art Expo in March 2010 in Sydney, Australia
- Best Tribal Tattoo Artist at Ink’n’Iron International Tattoo Festival in 2011 in Long Beach, California
He is considered an expert of Polynesian tattoos and designs, and his clients come from all over the world.Most of his tattoo designs are freehanded as Manu makes it a point to create unique pieces that flow and follow his clients’ body perfectly.
Professional tattooers and Polynesian tattoo lovers unanimously appreciate the uniqueness of his designs. His tattoos are known for their quality of execution, the graphic excellence of his creations and the harmonious balance that stems from them.
References
Allen, Tricia (2010). The Polynesian Tattoo Today, p. 10, 19, 29, 58, 59, 63, 92, 244, 245. Mutual Publishing, Hawai'i. ISBN 978-1-56647-921-9.
- "Featured Artist: Manu Farrarons". 2011-06-22. http://community.killerdana.com/blog/2011/06/22/featured-artist-manu-farrarons/.
Livres Groupe (2010). Artiste Tatoueur. General Books LLC. ISBN 9781159599218.
Livres Groupe (2010). Culture de la Polynésie Française. General Books LLC. ISBN 9781159620769.
External links
Categories:- French artists
- Tattoo artists
- Polynesia
- Polynesian culture
- Tiki culture
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