When I was in highschool I obsessed over tattoos – I would read tattoo magazines every day and research tattoo art and artists. I started a tattoo apprenticeship when I was 18 and began using a machine, but after the discovery of ‘tebori’ (traditional Japanese handpoking method) all I wanted was to tattoo by hand. The techniques and craft took years to pick up, but I haven’t touched a machine since.
When I started tattooing I worked with old school styles using bold lines and American influence, but eventually I found my love for Traditional Japanese work. Many Traditional Japanese tattoos were larger scale covering whole limbs or even the entire body, and often depicted mythology (including Gods, Godesses, Deities), demons, dragons, flora, elements of nature, and Yokai (Supernatural monsters). Because the style was so vast and beautiful I naturally wanted to incorporate it into my tattooing, but the drawing side didn’t come easily. I invested years of research and practice with ink and brushes, taking inspiration from great artists such as Hokusai, Kuniyoshi, Hogan, and Yoshitoshi.
What I have presented in this exhibition is my take on some of my favourite iconography within Japanese paintings, woodblocks, and tattoos. Hopefully my works can shine some light on the powerful imagery that many people tattoo onto their skin, but more importantly the tradition, spirituality, and culture that they are derived from.