Award-winning tattooist views creations as living artwork

MBOMBELA – Quality and professionalism are synonymous with an award-winning local tattoo artist who has recently been pinned as the nation’s best female tattoo artist for the third consecutive year.

Serah Cue of Cue’s Tattoos not only went home with this individual honour but also scooped silver for the studio in nine other categories at the annual Ink and Iron event which took place in Johannesburg on March 7.

“This year we won 10 of the 27 categories. Last year we won 19 categories out of the available 24. I think we will need to build a trophy case if we continue going at this rate,” Serah smiled.

The Ink and Iron show was now in its 11th year and was reckoned as one the most prestigious events for artists to showcase their designs. The best design entries were judged on detail, quality, use of colour, and the placing on the body part, among others.

Success did not come instantly for this former Standard Bank employee who exchanged bank notes for creative fulfilment with ink and needles more than 10 years ago.

“Tattoos sparked an interest after a friend at work saw an advertisement for a tattoo apprentice overseas. At that time I was still tied to my job so I could not just leave. I started searching for someone who was willing to teach me after hours.”

She eventually met Dave Edwards of Body Art in Morningside who taught her everything about the industry so she could open her own shop. Tattoos were definitely not something that every Tom, Dick and Harry could master. “You have to complete a two-year apprenticeship. This includes mixing colours, knowing how to stabilise needles as well as having knowledge on the human anatomy, among many other aspects.” Her husband Sean, son Donovan and daughter Shelley are all involved at the shop. Bennie Potgieter, the apprentice, also forms part of this award-winning team at Cue’s tattoos.

“One of the great things of being part of a family business is the ability to trust one another. We are all one big team and we encourage each other.

Serah’s own tattoos consist of intricate dotting on her arms as well as tattoos of colourful lotus flowers.

“There are a few that do not look entirely flattering where I let apprentices practise on my skin. It creates another memory of their progress as well,” she said.

One of Serah’s more prominent pieces was the hauntingly beautiful Dawn of the Dead figures she tattooed on Bennie. Among the beautiful creations and masterpieces, there had also been some interesting and somewhat strange requests from customers over the years.

“Bennie once had to tattoo a G-string on a man’s forehead! Normally we would not tattoo anything on a person. There has to be a certain reason for the tattoo. It has to fit with that person’s personality,” said this experienced tattoo artist.

According to Serah, 90 per cent of their tattoos were custom designed which added to the authenticity. “I see tattoos as the story of a person’s life journey. Its like a living artwork with each piece representing a unique aspect of a person’s character or interests.”

Her greatest inspiration is American tattoo artist, Paul Booth, who is well known as a master of the tattoo craft.