A Hamilton tattoo artist flew across country to give rising star, Ed Sheeran, his first ta moko, and his first tattoo with real meaning.
Continuing his tradition of collecting body art from each country he tours, Sheeran was keen for a Ta Moko, and he wanted the best.
So Russell Wilson, of Hamilton’s Urban Ink team, was flown to Wellington by Warner Music New Zealand and had adorned the superstar’s shoulder in roughly an hour.
”Initially he just wanted a normal tattoo but then thought, because he was in New Zealand, that he would get something more significant to here, and to our culture, so he opted for a ta moko,” said Wilson.
”He wanted a design that represented family and love, and the love he has for his family. Being a superstar and a musical artist, he was always travelling and away from home, so I incorporated that into it as well.”
He said Sheeran sat well through the session and described him as a ”down to earth guy”.
”He’s probably an artist that your assumption would be, because he shot to fame so fast, that he would be a bit disconnected from others, but he wasn’t he was really genuine and quite humorous,” said Wilson.
On being hand picked by the singer’s team, Wilson put it down to quality of work and a sense of understanding.
”It’s having someone that has a deeper meaning and knowledge and who can relate to the story he’s trying to tell, get the design drawn up and connect with that kaupapa,” he said.
”He even mentioned that it was kind of his first tattoo that actually had real meaning. It’s just an honour…and to share our culture with someone like that, that will be displaying it to the world in a positive way.”
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