Ink master goes Dark for Mofo

AN upcoming Dark Mofo project is really getting under the public’s skin, with more than 50 people having already signed up to receive a ritualistic sak yant (“magic tattoo”) from a visiting Thai monk.

Drawing on “magical knowledge, symbols and texts of Buddhism, Animism and sacred geometry”, Ajarn Ohr will discuss the client’s life with them and then create a unique talismanic design, before applying it using traditional techniques.

Late yesterday, only two of Ohr’s 61 appointments — which cost $400 each — were still up for grabs.

Ohr will tattoo as part of Dark Mofo’s Invisible House project, “a frenzied celebration of arcane knowledge, magic, science and the occult” at the Salamanca Arts Centre.

“The guy is quite famous in a particular sphere of the tattooing community — people travel to Thailand to have that experience with him,” Invisible House curator Brendan Walls said.

“I think he has only been out of Thailand once, and is reluctant to leave for more than two weeks because it’s very much his spiritual battery, where he gets his psychic charge. He hasn’t travelled extensively, so we’re lucky to have him and be able to access him directly.”

Invisible House will also feature works by esoteric artists Barry William Hale and Scott Barnes; a world exclusive exhibition of pictures by US photographer William Mortensen; the Australian premiere of films by US painter, music historian and occultist Harry Smith; and Mr Walls’ own work TohuVBohu. “Everyone involved with

Invisible House believes that there’s more to reality than what is observable,” Mr Walls said, “and we don’t rule out the influence of external or immeasurable forces.

“That’s what sets it apart from everything else that’s going on in the art world, which is coming from a Richard Dawkins-esque, hardcore post-enlightenment point of view. None of us subscribe to that.”

Invisible House will be at the SAC from June 14-25. For details, or to book a spot with Ohr, go to www.darkmofo. net.au