|
The First Art Newspaper on the Net |
 |
Established in 1996 |
|
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
|
Taiwan graffiti artist swaps spray for ink in epic tattoos |
|
|
This picture taken on August 2, 2018 shows tattoo artist Bobo Chen displaying design templates at his workshop in Taipei. A former graffiti artist, Chen, 35, switched to tattooing five years ago after learning the craft in Thailand. On the walls of his studio are pictures of historical Japanese drawings, which he takes as inspiration for his body art. SAM YEH / AFP.
|
TAIPEI (AFP).- In a small workshop down a narrow alleyway in Taipei's Ximending district, tattoo artist Bobo Chen is refreshing a scene from a Japanese epic with new ink on a client's back.
The vivid image depicts a fictional Japanese hero fighting a tiger and dragon, symbolic of strength and protection.
A former graffiti artist, Chen, 35, switched to tattooing five years ago after learning the craft in Thailand.
On the walls of his studio are pictures of historical Japanese drawings, which he takes as inspiration for his body art.
Taiwan was ruled by Japan for 50 years until 1945 and the islands design aesthetic often still reflects Japanese style.
"I like Japanese culture and traditions," says Chen. I take inspiration from them for my work because I'd like to play a small part in handing them down.
It also pays the bills -- Chen does mostly large-scale tattoos and charges over Tw$3,000 ($100) per hour. A large tattoo costs as much as Tw$300,000.
He does not advertise, but says he has plenty of clients through word of mouth.
Chen says the trend of having larger scale tattoos has grown more popular in Taiwan in recent years as people become less conservative about they way they look.
He talks through the process with clients before going ahead, adding that often they decide to have tattoos when they are suffering "frustration or disappointment" in life.
Micky Peng, 30, who sports the epic back design Chen is touching up, as well as a tiger pattern on his chest, said receiving tattoos had been cathartic for him.
He first started when his father fell ill ten years ago and said it was a way to release emotional stress.
"I feel like I am being protected by the hero tattoo on my body," says Peng, who runs a tofu dessert shop in central Taichung city.
"I think I'm addicted to it. Getting new tattoos makes me happier and feel that I am more unique."
© Agence France-Presse
|
|
Today's News
September 1, 2018
Special exhibition focuses on Van Gogh's work, spirituality and view of nature
Sotheby's to offer collection of art-world luminary David Teiger
First exhibition in LA devoted to Jack Whitten's work in nearly 30 years on view at Hauser & Wirth
Theseus Temple exhibits 'Untitled' (Lovers - Paris) from 1993 by Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Parcours des Mondes 2018: The world's leading tribal art show opens in September
Smithsonian traveling exhibition gives voice to Americans' experience of war
George Condo presents a new suite of self-portraits at the Museum of Cycladic Art
MOHAI is the only West Coast venue for this comprehensive and powerful exhibit of the Great War
Powerful Christine Borland sculptures on organ donation acquired by National Galleries
Exhibition at Bildmuseet presents alternative approaches to environmental, social and mental ecologies
Glenn Brown returns to his North East roots with exhibition at Laing Art Gallery
Exhibition on Japanese woodblock prints on view at Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Fine Arts Paris to bring fresh excitement to drawing, painting and sculpture
designjunction announces first exhibitor line-up and product launches
21st edition of Art Paris to offer a gaze at women artists in France
Dolby Chadwick Gallery opens exhibition of new work by Elizabeth Fox
Frye Art Museum exhibition is an exploration of architecture through space, function, and purpose
Stephenson's to auction fine estate antiques, decorative art, gold and silver coins and jewelry, Sept. 7
The Center for Maine Contemporary Art presents the exhibition 'Jocelyn Lee: The Appearance of Things'
Exhibition spotlighting cartoonist Alison Bechdel travels to Zimmerli Art Museum
Fine Art Asia 2018 to host Ink Asia 2018 in a major new event
Taiwan graffiti artist swaps spray for ink in epic tattoos
Exhibition examines the shared histories of Pat Hearn Gallery and American Fine Arts, Co.
Exhibition at Museum of Geraldton examines the rich diversity of Australian immigrants
|
|
|
|
|
Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography, Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs, Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, . |
|
|
|
Royalville Communications, Inc produces:
|
|
|
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful
|
|