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Skin Pics

"It takes the inner man and puts him on the outside where he can be seen."

A bold reveal of a rose tattoo opens this 1980 documentary on tattooing in New Zealand. The potted history includes visits to tattoo parlours on K' Road and Hastings, and the studios of industry legends Steve Johnson and Roger Ingerton. Tattooists discuss public stigma, people's reasons for getting inked, and popular designs: sailors, serpents, swallows and tā moko. Made for documentary slot Contact, Skin Pics chronicles a time when "folk art has become high art".

Release DateOctober 1, 1980
StatusReleased
Original TitleSkin Pics
Runtime 29min
Budget
Revenue
LanguageEnglish
Original LanguageEnglish
Production CountriesNew Zealand
Production CompaniesTelevision New Zealand