Craft Affair 2012 Honors: Frank & Anita Wyle
Newlyweds Frank & Anita Wyle were the earliest supporters of the Craft and Folk Art Museum. As strong believers in museum founder Edith Wyle’s mission to provide a forum for contemporary crafts and exhibit folk art from around the world, they supported her vision and commitment from the museum’s very beginning.
And Artist Honoree: Zulu
“I believe the art of tattooing is no different than that of the classic fine arts of painting, sculpting, music, ballet, opera, theater, wine making, culinary excellence and the like. Each process demands discipline and a dedication to excellence by the crafter.” -Zulu, Artist and owner of Zulu Tattoo
Zulu first tried his hand at tattooing in his late twenties. He was drawn to the art because of its ancient history and his curiosity about the tribal and ancient cultures of all people. After years of teaching himself, Zulu found the mentor he had longed for in Leo Zulueta, a true “tribal artist” who shared his sacred and spiritual philosophies regarding this ancient art. He traveled through the South Pacific islands, studying with and tattooing his mentor until 1994 when Zulu opened his own studio, Zulu Tattoo.
Zulu was one of the first black men to own his own tattoo shop and the first black man to grace the cover of a tattoo magazine, “International Tattoo Art,” in January of 1998. He has helped pave the way and open the doors for minorities to be taken seriously in the tattoo industry. In 2005, he was featured as “The Spiritual Godfather of Urban Tattooing,” by Urban Ink, America’s first tattoo magazine celebrating people of color.
For full bio, click here.