For the past two years, Sarawakian tattoo artist Natasha Melintau has gained recognition for her work in traditional pua kumbu tribal designs, honoring her heritage and the Iban community’s rich cultural textile patterns. At just 24, Natasha, who has Iban, Selako, and Punjabi roots, has become known for her commitment to preserving her culture through intricate skin art.
The business administration student has built a dedicated following, attracting clients from all over Malaysia and beyond, with some traveling from Brunei, Kalimantan, Singapore, and even the UK for her unique tattoos. Nearly 100 people worldwide now carry her designs, a source of pride for Natasha. “I was inspired to specialize in pua kumbu designs because of their uniqueness and their connection to my culture,” she shared in a recent Zoom interview from Kuching. Being part Iban herself sparked her interest in these traditional designs.
Natasha credits her father, Melintan Ina, a tour guide and tattoo enthusiast, for her early exposure to the art. “I grew up watching my father get tattooed. He would tattoo himself and his friends using the traditional hand-tapped technique,” she explained. This method involves using a needle-tipped stick dipped in pigment ink, gently tapped with another stick to puncture the skin and deposit ink, creating the desired design.
Initially, Natasha never saw herself as a tattoo artist. “I thought I’d pursue sports science since I was an athlete in school, but an injury kept me from continuing,” she said. Her passion for art eventually led her to a different path, shaping her into the artist she is today.
Natasha’s journey began as an apprentice at a tattoo studio in Kuching after finishing high school. Today, she balances her tattoo work with her final year studies at a university in Sarawak’s capital, pursuing her craft while staying connected to her heritage.
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