Four Tattoo Fans Talk About The Art Of The Ink
These four creatives show how identity is represented through their tatts.
Fact: Tattoos have become increasingly mainstream among the younger generation. A 2019 local survey by YouGov found that nearly half of respondents had no issue with hiring employees who sport body art, and that those aged between 18 and 24 were a lot more accepting of tattoos as compared to those above 55 years old (okay, boomer). As of press time, Google searches for the terms “tattoo” and “tattoo artist” here hit its peak in the past 12 months, while the hashtag #singaporetattoo had clocked a notable 29.8M views on TikTok. All this data aside, it’s hard not to notice the flourishing scene here.
READ MORE: Young And Cool Names In Singapore’s Tattoo Scene You Need To Know
Both studios and the artists getting into the game have grown not just in number, but also diversity – see Crevice, a just over year-old outfit at Pearl’s Hill Terrace run by a posse of art school students and graduates all no older than 21. Hit the streets, and the sight of individuals with ink on their skin –permanent or temporary, a discreet illustrative symbol or a full blackout sleeve – has become common.
Here, four women into the art form share more about their own tatts and the power of getting one (or many), while showing off something else against which skin makes a great canvas: the latest fine jewellery.
Total number of tattoos: “Two. One is a mechanised take on a Chinese-style flame on my left arm – I got it because I am very inspired by my own culture. The other is my latest: a glyph-like pattern inspired by that on Taoist talismans, on my neck.”
Go-to tattoo artist: “Anybody from Crevice – the styles of all the artists there are amazing and they capture what I want really well.”
Jialei wears Clou de Forge silver mono earring and matching necklace, Hermes. Nylon dress, Moncler. All clothes throughout, subjects’ own unless otherwise stated
An interesting tattoo: “My neck tattoo came about because I was watching old Hong Kong zombie films and the priest characters in them were using talismans when fighting the undead. I thought it would be interesting to translate the calligraphy work on the talismans into abstract lines to create a pseudo protective charm.”
Most memorable comment about her tatts: “‘Can you exorcise demons with that?’”
What others should know about getting inked: "It plays a big part in how people perceive you, especially in a generally more conservative society like Singapore."
Jialei wears Rose de Vents rose gold necklace with diamonds and ceramic lacquer, Dior
Total number of tattoos: “Not too many as most of my pieces are relatively huge – I’d say about 10. Most of them are collected as an appreciation of the artist’s work. Additionally, meeting new artists and sharing knowledge is something that I enjoy whenever I get my tattoos done.”
Her first tatt: “The word ‘kindness’ across my knuckles when I was 17. I believe that being kind even through the smallest of deeds can make the world a better place, and its placement on my fingers – quite a bold choice for a first tattoo – is meant to symbolise how I can show kindness through action.”
Maxine wears Tiffany Hardwear yellow gold 18K wrap necklace and matching link earrings, Tiffany & Co.
A funny story: “I was at a restaurant and an older woman came up to me and commented on my leg sleeves (which feature the signature chrysanthemum motifs by Kiku Space studio’s tattoo artist Calvin Tan, who Ng looks up to). She thought I was wearing leggings with prints of the flower! There is no specific symbolic meaning to them, I got them done because his works are beautiful and his attention to flow is top notch; it's an honour to have them on me."
What others should know about getting inked: "Always ensure that it is what you want! Do not be influenced by what your peers may say. Your tattoos identify with you, and will be with only you, till the end."
Maxine wears Gucci Link To Love yellow gold necklace, bracelet and ring with tourmaline, and Grip yellow gold PVD watch with sapphire glass, Gucci
Total number of tattoos: “About 12.”
Her first tatt: “A rabbit on my forearm in memory of my pet rabbit.”
Her latest tatt: “That of a rune on my palm – I got it on a whim when I was in The Netherlands.”
Sara wears Panthere de Cartier yellow gold necklace with tsavorite garnets, onyx and diamonds; matching ring and bracelet with tsavorite garnets and onyx; and Panthere de Cartier rose gold watch with diamonds, Cartier
Go-to tattoo artist: “Julian from Wild Paw Tattoo Co. He did my first tattoo and many more after.”
An interesting tatt: “The ornamental motif on my right ankle and foot was my most spontaneous tattoo and I don’t really know what to make of it. I had let my boyfriend – a tattoo artist – draw on my foot for fun and I decided
that I liked it so much, I’d get him to tattoo it on.”
What others should know about getting inked: “Yes, it’s painful, but just do it!”
Sara wears (from left) Serpenti Viper white gold bracelet, matching ring, Serpenti white gold ring with pave diamonds, and Serpenti Seduttori stainless steel watch with diamonds and black lacquer, Bvlgari
Total number of tattoos: “11 – not many for a tattooist, but that’s going to change as I am keeping my skin for larger projects in the future.”
Her first tatt: “An Arabic script that translates to ‘nothing lasts forever’ that I got on my rib as soon as I turned 18. It’s a motto that I live by because it reminds me of how the ups-and-downs in life don’t last and that I should appreciate life in the present.”
Her latest tatt: "They are of a symmetrical pair of ornamental designs on the lower part of my calves tattooed simultaneously by myself and our shop apprentice Rena. I wanted to discover how a machine tattoo and handpoke tattoo experience would feel side by side."
Iwani wears Serpenti Viper necklace with onyx and diamonds (top) and matching pendant with pave diamonds; and bracelets with pave diamonds (on right arm), mother-of-pearl (on left wrist) and plain (on left forearm). All in rose gold and from Bvlgari.
An interesting tatt: “The pair of tattoos on my shoulders is inspired by the bunga terung (eggplant flower) tattoos of Borneo that are meant to signify the mark of passage into adulthood and the beginning of a new life. I had intended to use my adaptation of the design as the logo for my tattoo brand (see her Instagram account @poke_ahontas), and decided to also have it on my skin to represent my journey into tattooing.”
Go-to tattoo artist: “If I had a choice, I’d say myself. Tattooing is a long and painful process, and the hand-poked method that I do is less invasive and doesn’t hurt as much as machine work. I’d love to do bigger works and give clients a more tolerable experience.”
Iwani wears Chaine d’Ancre Punk silver multi-rope necklace, matching bracelet (on right hand) and Clou de Forge silver bangle, Hermes. Cotton bralet, Coach. Nylon skirt, Moncler
Photography Phyllicia Wang Styling Damian Huang Coordination Pang Jia Wei, assisted by Khong Yawen Hair EC Tan/1tto+Lim Makeup Keith Bryant Lee Nails Zi/Auum – The Honest Nail Spa
This article is adapted from a story in the Sep 2022 The Kids Are Alright! edition of FEMALE