Welcome to
Stigmata Tattooing Studio in Averill Street, Papakura,
Auckland which opened in October 2006.
Originally
from Manurewa, Nik Glavish's been tattooing
professionally for ten years and an artist who paints
and works in mixed media when he finds the time. He's
also been a Pro Skate boarder until he broke his leg in
two places and had to give that up.
The Crew at Stigmata Studio have two resident tattooists
'Nik & Shane' and the 'Apprentice' is Vinnie who takes
care of your appointments and does the drawings and
Master Sheets. This busy studio's open six days a week
from 10am - 10 pm and Nik says, 'I'm as busy as I'd like
to be'.
Age of
consent for Stigmata Studio is 16 yrs old with parents
consent and 18 yrs old without. For clients wanting
visible tattoos on forearms and neck you have to be 21
years old because this allows time for a more informed
choice when choosing these areas with employment choices
and careers. In some cultures, for reasons of
'Traditional values' tattooing is done at an early age
and Nik's also been 'traditionally
tattooed', adding this piece and the experience of the
'old ways' to his own interesting collection of tattoos.
Nik made a
switch to use organic inks imported from Sweden which
are safer to use for both the tattooist and the client.
The tattoo heals quicker than previous solvent based
brand tattoo inks imported from other countries and
clients report the tattoo heals fast and the colours
become more vibrant as the tattoo heals.
Nik was
asked what he'd like to see in the Tattoo Industry in
New Zealand.
"There's
no Tattoo Association for Tattooists in New Zealand and
the nearest is Australia so what good is that to us. I'd
like to see less amateur tattooists operating and if a
person decides they want to become tattooists, find a
professional studio and be taken on as an apprentice".
Nik attended the City of Cycles Show in Auckland
2006 where Channel 8 interviewed Nik and Brigit captured
a couple nice classic shots of the crew.
