14 months ago I started heavily researching ukkil. Initially, I had wanted the flowery design to start at my waist, wind it’s way around my body and shoulder up to where the focus of my dystonia was and where I used to get multiple shots of poisin to stop it, below my left ear. Over the year, the design changed and distilled. A few months ago I started researching artists and made an appointment, being very selective and patient.
It is a Yakan Diamond, a siyabit, kabang buddi (diamond), which is sometimes likened to an eye. I think it sort of looks Hawaiian (the artist put his own twist to the motif) but I think could even also pass for Latin (is it a cross?) or Egyptian. Hell, I think sometimes it looks like a tattoo from Final Fantasy.
Up until he put the transfer paper on my arm the design was supposed to cover my entire forearm sleeve from elbow to wrist. We got through one diamond and I realized that I didn’t have to go all out as I thought. Maybe, but what’s the rush?
Yes, I believe in serendipity.. almost getting frustrated with delay after delay on Wednesday I really was thinking it might be a sign that this wasn’t for me. But, I persisted and waited. And I’m happy that organically it turned into what I want and like even though it bears little resemblance to my initial concept. If only life could turn out that way in all aspects.
I found a great quote, or rather Stella did, waiting for the artist to be ready for me:
Being indigenous means we belong to the earth, but the earth doesn’t belong to us.
Cliff Curtis, Maori from New Zealand
Absolutely Brilliant.
That’s sort of the quick and dirty on this and what it means to me. Some of it I’ve saved for myself and some of it I don’t quite understand.
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