Fans, friends and family of slain tattoo artist Shane Steyn will gather at a mobile studio over the weekend to get commemorative tattoos.
On Sunday, the Tattoo Ink Cape Town mobile studio in Tyger Valley will open its doors to the public to raise funds to help support the family of the young man who was shot and killed in an attempted robbery last month.
The 26-year-old, who was popular among local celebrities and Hanover Park residents, was shot in the chest while trying to flee from armed skelms on 20 February.
Deon Abels, the owner of Tattoo Ink, says Shane worked for the studio in the year leading up to his death and the news of his murder hit them hard.
“We were absolutely devastated when we got the message,” he says.
“He was such a gentle person and didn’t deserve what happened to him.
“I knew that he was the breadwinner for his mother and two sisters and so we thought of a way we can support them through this difficult time.”
Deon says they designed a commemorative tattoo with Shane’s initials and the date of his death.
“The initials SS are accompanied by a set of wings because he was mad about wings.
“On Sunday we will be doing these tattoos at R200 each for people to commemorate his memory.
“As many people have lost people in the last year, we are letting people change the initials to that of a loved one for an extra R50 and the funds go towards Shane’s family.
“We are also asking that anyone who wants to donate items to the family can drop it off on the day.”
Shane’s heartbroken mother says she is amazed by the support.
“I heard what they are doing and all I can say is I am in awe. Shane was my everything and we are going through a difficult time,” she says.
The event will be held at the mobile studio stationed outside Beerhouse in Tyger Valley from 9am.
For more information, call Deon on 066 037 7147.
monique.duval@inl.co.za