Oz-tentacious? Southern Cross tattoo fad over
Olyroo Shane Cansdell-Sheriff during preparation for the Olympics in 2004. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: the Daily Telegraph
STREET-smart urbanites are turning their backs on the controversial Southern Cross tattoo design, with demand at a historic low despite this week's Australia Day celebrations.
Tattoo artist Ryan Reeve, from Melbourne’s Vic Market Tattoos, said the Southern Cross design "appealed to blokes in shorts and singlets who wanted to show off".
"It’s not a hard tattoo to do and it doesn’t challenge you as an artist," Reeve said, questioning the motives of some who requested the design.
"It’s got a bit of a bad name. You definitely wonder from time to time if these people . . . know anything about Australian history. Any tattoo artist you talk to will say, ‘It’s not something we like doing, because it’s a pretty common thing’."
The tattoo was a popular choice several years ago and proudly sported at music festivals, but demand has plummeted since the Cronulla riots in Sydney, when the design gained prominence and was labelled by some as bogan and others as racist.
But, Just a Pinch artist Dieter, who only uses one name, said he had no problem tattooing the design.
"I’d do it. I wouldn’t have a problem," he said.
"I think it’s patriotic."
Dieter, who has a parlour in Flinders St, said he does a Southern Cross tattoo every two or three weeks, whereas five years ago he did one a day.
Another inner-suburban artist, who asked not to be named, said he did not enjoy tattooing the Southern Cross and described the phenomenon as "weird”.
Oz-tentacious? Southern Cross tattoo fad over
