Tattoos have entered the mainstream, and in no place is that more apparent than in Singapore. Whether it’s a minimal design in a discreet area of the body or an entire colorful sleeve, people have embraced body art both in Singapore and throughout the world. Ahead of an exhibition specifically designed around tattoos, a handful of Singaporean tattoo artists were interviewed to talk about their craft and the way the global attitude toward tattoos has shifted.
One tattoo veteran has been interested in changing his body since an early age. While he was still a teenager, he had his tongue split, along with a wealth of different piercings. It was this interest that led him to seek out work as a professional piercer, but business was so infrequent he started dabbling in tattoos. He got experience with a boom of U.S. sailors passing through Singapore, and remains one of the foremost tattoo artists in Singapore. He did, however, experience some pushback with his parents. Through constant communication, though, he was able to convince them that tattoos weren’t such a bad thing, after all — especially since he makes his living through creating them.
Another tattoo artist started his body art journey very informally — in the back of the classroom while he was doing poorly. Because he wanted to give his friends better tattoos, he walked into a tattoo studio, intent on buying better tools. However, once the tattoo artist in residence saw his sketchbook, he became an apprentice at the studio. Now, he has an established shop of his own and an established style — all black and gray realism. He also credits social media and the internet for making his work as popular as it is.
For another tattoo artist, his experience began by getting a back piece tattooed. He asked the artist working on him if it might be possible to have an apprenticeship, and the artist agreed. Without much prior experience, he delved into the world of tattoos. His work speaks for itself, though. He has heard of many clients of other tattoo shops asking for pieces that mimic his own designs — the greatest form of flattery.
Another tattoo artist practiced on his own skin before he started tattooing other people. He wanted to study which tools were right and how the ink interacted with the skin. Now, his tattoos are as unique as himself. In a controlled chaos of black, he creates designs like distinctively powerful elephants and quiet anchors surrounded by abstract lines. It’s entirely possible that his inspiration comes from the first job he had as an industrial designer.
Art is present everywhere in the world — whether it’s on a canvas or somebody’s body. Open your eyes to the art around you by enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com. Expert teachers are on hand to help you begin your artistic process.
To read more about tattoo art in Singapore, go to https://augustman.com/sg/pop-culture/art-culture/skin-trade-six-tattoo-artist-share-stories/.