Tattoo guru puts treasures on market
Perth tattoo artist to the stars Marc Pinto has built up a major collection of traditional indigenous artefacts after being inspired by his grandfather's stories of living with the Dayak tribes of Borneo.
Mr Pinto, whose clients include John Butler, Jessica Mauboy, Trace Cyrus, Vanessa Amorosi and several AFL footballers, is selling more than 140 pieces collected with his wife Elena over nearly 20 years.
"It's sad to let it go but I have enjoyed it so much and would like to share it so other people can enjoy it," Mr Pinto said.
With an estimated value of $470,000, the Marc and Elena Pinto Collection of Australian, Indonesian and Oceanic indigenous sculptures, weapons, bark paintings and other artefacts will be auctioned by Mossgreen in Melbourne on May 20.
Picture: Bill Hatto/The West Australian
Highlights include a 100-year-old Aboriginal ceremonial shield from the Kimberley, estimated at $50,000, a 19th century Indonesian hardwood figure holding a severed head, estimated at $40,000, and a 19th century blowgun spearhead at $12,000.
The pieces were crowding their home and the couple did not want to put them in storage.
"Beautiful art should be enjoyed and when it gets a bit cramped, it is time to move on and hopefully find new pieces I can enjoy for the next few years," Mr Pinto said.
"We have got to enjoy things with a little space around us. Pieces when they are cramped up are not as enjoyable as when they have a little space.
"I have had years of enjoyment. They will still be in my memory."
Mr Pinto has run his Primitive Tattoo Studio since moving to Perth from Singapore in 1995. His passion for body art began with his first tattoo at age 15.
