In this episode, Sean talks with Hrafnhildur, another artist within the Northern Fire collective, known better as Habba Nero tattoo.
As tattoo artists often do when they come together, they spend a bit of time talking shop. Their discussion follows their experiences of tattooing (and being tattooed) and their approaches to new projects but they also delve into some of the folk history of Iceland and Wales, including magical staves and the famous Necropants...
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56:42
Introducing Sean Fitzgerald
We were delighted when Sean Fitzgerald joined the Northern Fire collective. It was great to diversify and have another specialist in Celtic art styles that are so close to our hearts.Â
In this episode, Sean talks with... surprisingly enough... Seán about Celtic art and their experiences setting out as artists. Separated by the Irish Sea, the art myths and languages of Wales and Ireland are similar but have distinct differences.
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1:15:58
An Interview With Colin Dale
In this episode of the Northern Fire History Podcast, Sean sits down with one of the most celebrated pioneers in the field of Nordic tattooing, Colin Dale. There is a reason clients travel globally to visit his studio, Skin & Bone Tattoo in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Colin Dale is a man of legendary reputation; his work with Neo-Nordic and indigenous tattoo communities has inspired artists globally, and his tattoos continue to be honoured as some of the most original and profound pieces in the field.
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Rooted in respect for traditional methods, Colin’s technique honours ancient practices from Europe and beyond. With wisdom collected from tattoo masters in Borneo, Tahiti, and Samoa, Colin’s personal history with Inuit and First Nations people of North America has allowed him to utilise techniques that were sometimes hidden or lost for centuries.
During the podcast, Sean and Colin discuss how Colin first started as a tattoo artist, some of the tattooing methods he has used during his career as well as drifting onto ancient mummies, conventions and even Colin's brief employment in the porn industry...
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1:30:34
Slavery In The Viking Age: An Interview with Historian Ben Raffield
This week, we discuss one of the more unsavoury aspects of the Viking age, slavery. Whilst most cultures in the early middle ages had class systems which contained some forms of servitude, the Vikings took it to the next level and to some extent, their entire culture was built on slavery. From slave raids in surrounding kingdoms, slaves manning the oars on their ships and their general thrall system, it is one of the aspects least discussed within the community.
We were lucky enough to speak with Ben Raffield, an associate professor and researcher at Uppsala University in Sweden who has been conducting some research on this sensitive topic.
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1:14:54
Introducing Sigurbodi
Musician, skald, storyteller, artist and now tattooist, Sigurbodi is a man of many talents... In this episode, he and Sean exchange stories from their home countries of Iceland and Wales and come to conclusions on how you should deal with elves, zombies and even the devil...
Northern Fire is an artistic collective specialising in Celtic and Nordic art. We pride ourselves on taking influence from the archaeological record and through our research, we have met some very interesting people.
We will be talking amongst ourselves (to date, we have 10 artists on board) and also to experts in their field about ancient history in Northern Europe.
Expect new information, different perspectives as well as storytelling and song throughout our episodes.
South Africa