Tattoo artists in Auckland are increasingly incorporating traditional Chinese elements into their artwork, as demand for East Asian-inspired tattoos continues to rise. This trend is not only popular with Chinese clients seeking to reconnect with their heritage but is also attracting customers from Southeast Asia and Europe interested in Chinese culture.
Common tattoo designs include ink depictions of flowers, birds, fish, trees, and landscapes, as well as various styles of calligraphy. More abstract designs feature flying dragons, misty clouds, ancient sayings, seals, porcelain vases, and Nüshu, a syllabic writing system historically used exclusively by women.
Jiayi (Raina) Gao, who has been a tattoo artist at Blank-Leaving Tattoo Studio in downtown Auckland for over two years, shared her surprise at the growing interest in her work. Having learned calligraphy as a child, Gao initially started by tattooing calligraphy words. Over time, she discovered that many clients enjoyed elements of calligraphy, such as seals, and began requesting tattoos of their names or Chinese zodiac signs in seal styles.
“The customers love the brushstroke style and the softer edges, so I combine these features into my designs,” says Gao. While she is proficient in cursive, semi-cursive, and standard calligraphy, most clients opt for the cursive script, appreciating its sense of mystery and fluidity.
Gao explained that many of her customers, even those who don’t speak Chinese, choose tattoos of their family names or seals as a way to honor their heritage. “Even if they are just beginning to express interest in Chinese calligraphy, I feel like we’ve already made a breakthrough,” she added.
Another artist at Blank-Leaving Tattoo Studio, Chenrong (Lily) Liu, has been immersed in Chinese painting since childhood. Liu finds it fascinating to blend traditional Chinese art with tattoo design, offering clients tattoos of animals and symbols with specific meanings, such as carp representing wealth and good fortune or magpies symbolizing luck. She also notes that Chinese ink tattoos are well-suited for covering up old tattoos, as their fluid appearance allows the new design to blend seamlessly with the skin.
Liu hopes that more people will embrace Chinese-style tattoos, especially abroad. “It would be great to see more people accepting Chinese-style tattoos,” she said, explaining that these designs help bridge cultural gaps and introduce Chinese art to a global audience.
Jing (Xixi) Zhang, another artist at Dreamhands Tattoo Studio, has been working as a tattoo artist for seven years in China before moving to New Zealand. Zhang specializes in Chinese ink painting-style tattoos, often featuring elements from nature, such as flowers, birds, and trees. One of her memorable pieces involved using peonies to cover up a woman’s abdominal scar from a cesarean section, turning the scar into a beautiful symbol of new life.
Zhang has noticed that people in New Zealand are more open to choosing tattoo designs based on personal preference, without concern for gender expectations. “It’s not about what’s masculine or feminine anymore,” she says. “People are more focused on what appeals to them and what reflects their personality.”
In her work, Zhang emphasizes the distinction between Chinese freehand brushwork and the realism often seen in Western art forms. “I want to help people from different backgrounds appreciate Chinese culture through my tattoos, showing them the beauty of this ancient art form,” she explained.
Zhang’s tattoo, a Tibetan auspicious knot on her palm, holds personal meaning for her. Despite the pain of having a palm tattoo, she views it as a reminder to accept life’s imperfections. “When I see tattoos that hold special meaning for others, it inspires me to be more dedicated to my craft,” she said.
Her husband, Aorigeler, who recently joined her in New Zealand, has worked as a tattoo artist for 14 years. Aorigeler combines traditional and modern elements in his tattoos, often drawing on Tibetan Buddhist thangka techniques and Chinese mythology. “Many people don’t fully understand Chinese tattoos or Chinese paintings. I think it’s important to share and explain the essence of Chinese culture through our designs,” he said.
Yifan (Chloe) Hou, a tattoo artist at Wild Child Tattoo, draws on her passion for art and Chinese culture to create unique tattoo designs. Her artwork features elements such as cattail leaf fans, embroidered lanterns, porcelain vases, and swallows in flight. Hou sees Chinese culture as an endless well of inspiration for her work, and she takes pride in introducing this cultural richness to others through her tattoos. “By sharing our culture and correcting misconceptions about China, I feel a deep sense of achievement,” she said.
As Chinese-style tattoos gain popularity in New Zealand and beyond, these tattoo artists continue to bridge cultural divides, offering clients a unique opportunity to explore and celebrate Chinese heritage through the medium of body art.
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