Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath Inspires Art and Business in New Orleans
Malaika "Mecca" Burke, a Guyanese-American visual artist, established Hell or High Water Tattoo in New Orleans, one of the city's prominent tattoo studios. Burke initially arrived in New Orleans in 2007 as a volunteer to aid in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree from New Jersey City University in 2009, she decided to make New Orleans her permanent residence. Her artistic endeavors primarily involve tattooing and painting, though she also engages in videography, sculpture, and murals. Burke's work delves into themes of religious iconography, portraiture, mythology, and the natural world, exploring their intersections. Her studio, Hell or High Water Tattoo, has been recognized in Forbes magazine, and her art has been showcased at various venues, including the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, the Ashe Cultural Arts Center, and A Gathering of the Tribes in New York.