TATU-LU.... BIO

 Tatu-Lu was apprenticed in 1994, at Deus ex Machina, to eX de Medici in Canberra.
In 1997, Lu left Australia, to travel and work in the U.K, Europe and other parts of the world, including time with the nomadic Rabari tribal people of the Sind, India. Gaining a unique experience. She returned to Australia in 2000 to complete a Bachelor of Arts (Sydney Uni) in Fine Arts, Anthropology (Aboriginal studies) and Australian History.

Influenced particularly by her teacher eX de Medici, Lu also lists a broad range of other influences such as classic Australian artists Norman Lindsay and Margaret Preston, also Ed Hardy, Kari Barber, botanical art, particularly that of the 19th century  and has also had a long interest in Indigenous Aboriginal art.

For many years a special interest to Lu has been the promotion of the 'Australian tattoo'. Sadly, this has been ignored or 'written-off' by many Australian tattooists, as being unimportant and irrelevant. Or only capable of being based around Ned Kelly or Southern Crosses.
However with the growing interest in the Australian tattoo by people overseas, as with many Australian clients, who are trying to express a connection with their country, Lu has always  been interested in exploring this avenue . 
Australian botanical plant species have recently caused a lot of interest, not just from Australians, but from people right around the world. As one client who recently flew in for work  from Belguim simply explained, 'They are some of  the most amazing plants in the world, and if done right, can make fantastic tattoos'.
Also interest nationally within the Aboriginal community, has been Lu's Aboriginal influenced work, which she has also been concentrating on for the last seven years.
Having had a long interest in Aboriginal Australia. Lu works with Aboriginal people, who are using the tattoo to identify with their people and culture. Using her  knowledge of Aboriginal art, Lu works closely with her clients, which includes often researching tribal groups and areas,  using a traditional style to tell their story and their connection to their country.

Recently Lu has been interviewed by Radio ABC Canberra and  ABC - Radio National, about tattoos in Australia, and  how the tattoo is used as a symbol of Australian identity. She has also been interviewed by 'Living Black' SBSTV,  Australia's number one Indigenous TV program, about her working with Aboriginal people and tattoos.In December 2012 her Australian work  featured in "Tattoos Downunder', Australia's leading Tattoo magazine and also 'Total Tattoo' Magazine from the UK, which was an article written by Anthropologist Lars Krutak, again concerning her work with Aboriginal people. In a world where many Tattoo Artists claim to be master craftsman, in 2015 Tatu Lu was recognised as such internationally with her work appearing in the 'Tattoo Masters Flash' published by 'Edition Reuss' from Germany the worlds most notable publishers of high end tattoo work, and in 2015 her work was also featured in the highly acclaimed and well researched volume 'Atlas of World Tattoos' written by Dr Anne Friedman and published by both Yale University Press in the US and Thames and Hudson in the UK.

Specialising in custom work, and always with an eye for a good clean line and a design that is customised to fit the body like a glove to a hand. Lu’s tattoos are also as varied as her clients, and she has an ability to slip easily between all styles. Passionate about what she does, after 20 years of tattooing she still works closely with her clients to achieve unique one-off pieces of bodyart that will last a lifetime.