I've been wanting to get a tattoo for three years now and besides the pain that I assume comes with getting one, I just had to make sure I was certain and ready. And some horrific looking tats seen about are enough to make one not want to go anywhere near a tattoo store. I mean, this ish for life.
Remember when the art of tattoos wasn't really considered art, but rather something dark and all things negative? The stigma? The devil and Satanism talks?
Do you like tattoos? Do you have one or two or would like to get one?
Tattoos like Rap, graffiti are steadily gaining their stance in society, though some faster than others, it seems creativity is getting more and more accepted in all its forms.
There's a tattoo place @ 93 Juta Street, shop number 3, Braamfontein called UWS BLVCK INK TATTOOZ and it is ran by a guy called Mo-Tee who believes enough that the tattoo culture in SA is well, alive and about to spring in on the mainstream. We caught up with him for some QnA.
Please tell me about yourself in relation to what you do:
I'm a self-taught black and grey tattoo artist and body piercer. I became a tattoo artist in 2013.
When did you become a tattoo artist?
It all started in 2010 when a friend came up with the idea of us getting hand pricked tattoos. They trusted me with pulling it off cause I know how to draw and my art was closely related to tattoos.
How do you think art and music relate together?
Art is the mother of music, they share the same base purpose of healing and helping us express ourselves better.
Do you think the stigma around tattoos has died down?
The stigma is still there but not as it was waaaay back and my generation is definitely killing it.
Are tattoos addictive?
I don't think tattoos are addictive, you just get addicted to the art and unlike other artefacts tattoos you carry them with you.
How many tattoos do you have?
For now I have about 20
How do you deal with "tattoo virgins" or nervous clients?
There's lots of candy in the parlour and a good playlist.
What's the most fulfilling thing about what you do?
The fact that people will always remember me because they will forever carry my art with them.
Besides being an artist, what else are you into?
I'm an artist manager, designer, and I'm also delving a bit into web development.
How is it running your business (how do you deal with the ups and downs)?
Running a business will never be easy especially when you don't have a startup but with a great team you will get through it and conquer.
Which celebrity have you tagged or would like to work on one day?
I would love to work on Priddy Ugly & A-Reece
Where would you like to see yourself and your business at in the next four years?
I would like opening UWS Blvck Ink Tattooz branches in all the provinces of South Africa. The headquarters will be at my hometown, Rustenburg.
What are your future plans?
Plan's to travel the world collecting different styles of tattooing and collaborating with all types of artists.
This means more solid and long term business for people likeMo-Tee and many other artists in all parts of the Country. This means social acceptance for more liberal and creative individuals. This means growth in the creative industry space. Employment and economic contribution too. So things are looking rather good for tat artists.
Question is, when are you getting yours?
Connect with us across all Socials: @Tan89Media
Remember when the art of tattoos wasn't really considered art, but rather something dark and all things negative? The stigma? The devil and Satanism talks?
Do you like tattoos? Do you have one or two or would like to get one?
There's a tattoo place @ 93 Juta Street, shop number 3, Braamfontein called UWS BLVCK INK TATTOOZ and it is ran by a guy called Mo-Tee who believes enough that the tattoo culture in SA is well, alive and about to spring in on the mainstream. We caught up with him for some QnA.
I'm a self-taught black and grey tattoo artist and body piercer. I became a tattoo artist in 2013.
When did you become a tattoo artist?
It all started in 2010 when a friend came up with the idea of us getting hand pricked tattoos. They trusted me with pulling it off cause I know how to draw and my art was closely related to tattoos.
How do you think art and music relate together?
Art is the mother of music, they share the same base purpose of healing and helping us express ourselves better.
Do you think the stigma around tattoos has died down?
The stigma is still there but not as it was waaaay back and my generation is definitely killing it.
Are tattoos addictive?
I don't think tattoos are addictive, you just get addicted to the art and unlike other artefacts tattoos you carry them with you.
How many tattoos do you have?
For now I have about 20
There's lots of candy in the parlour and a good playlist.
What's the most fulfilling thing about what you do?
The fact that people will always remember me because they will forever carry my art with them.
Besides being an artist, what else are you into?
I'm an artist manager, designer, and I'm also delving a bit into web development.
How is it running your business (how do you deal with the ups and downs)?
Running a business will never be easy especially when you don't have a startup but with a great team you will get through it and conquer.
Which celebrity have you tagged or would like to work on one day?
I would love to work on Priddy Ugly & A-Reece
Where would you like to see yourself and your business at in the next four years?
I would like opening UWS Blvck Ink Tattooz branches in all the provinces of South Africa. The headquarters will be at my hometown, Rustenburg.
Plan's to travel the world collecting different styles of tattooing and collaborating with all types of artists.
The tattoos culture has come a long way in finding their space within the creative industry. With a lot of our local celebrities like Bonang, Emtee,AKA,Priddy Ugly and more others spotting a tat,or a few they are surely controvuting to making them "publicly acceptable "
This means more solid and long term business for people likeMo-Tee and many other artists in all parts of the Country. This means social acceptance for more liberal and creative individuals. This means growth in the creative industry space. Employment and economic contribution too. So things are looking rather good for tat artists.
Question is, when are you getting yours?
Connect with us across all Socials: @Tan89Media
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