For the past two years, Sarawakian tattoo artist Natasha Melintau has established herself by specializing in pua kumbu tribal designs. She has gained a following that appreciates the intricate patterns and cultural significance of the Iban community’s woven textiles.
At just 24 years old, the business administration student, who has Iban, Selako, and Punjabi heritage, has become a respected skin art specialist dedicated to preserving her culture. Her clientele spans the state and extends beyond, with customers traveling from places like Brunei, Kalimantan, Singapore, and even Britain to get inked in these traditional motifs.
Natasha takes pride in knowing that nearly 100 people worldwide now bear her artwork. “I was inspired to focus on pua kumbu designs because of their uniqueness and their connection to my culture. My Iban heritage, combined with my passion for tattooing, sparked my interest in these traditional patterns,” she shared during a Zoom interview from Kuching.
Her interest in tattooing was influenced by her father, Melintan Ina, a tour guide and tattoo enthusiast. “I’ve watched him get tattooed since I was young. He used to tattoo himself and his friends for fun using traditional hand-tapping techniques,” Natasha explained. This method involves gently tapping a needle dipped in pigment ink with a stick, puncturing the skin to create the design.
Although Natasha enjoyed art, she initially envisioned a career in sports science due to her athletic background. However, an injury shifted her path. “Fate led me to become a tattoo artist, and it has shaped who I am today,” she reflected.
She started as an apprentice in a Kuching tattoo studio after finishing her Form Five education. Now, she balances her work as a tattoo artist with her final year of studies at a private university in the state capital.
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