Undercurrents

We hear that you’re a tattoo artist! How long have you been tattooing?
I’ve been tattooing since last December, so it’s been around seven months, but I’ve been getting tattoos since I turned 18 years ago.

Do you remember your first tattoo?
Yes, it was a tattoo by this guy called Uncle Richard. He’s a legend and the son of Johnny Two Thumb—one of the founding fathers of tattooing in Singapore. He was tattooing sailors and soldiers back in the 50s, and I got tattooed by his son.

Very cool! Then what made you want to pursue tattooing?
I was always into tattoos, specifically the American traditional style, but it always seemed like a very sacred industry. I never thought that I’d be able to enter it until I made a trip to Melbourne, Australia, and got the bulk of my tattoos done there. l would say 80% of my legs were done by a tattoo parlour called Carlisle Tattoo Co. in Melbourne, Australia.

It was the shop that made me want to properly pursue tattooing and learn about its culture and history. And funny enough, they came to Singapore later in the same year to this convention called Pharaoh’s Horses Invitational and tattooed my entire front torso in just three days. It was quite crazy!

Most recently, I guested at the same tattoo parlour during my latest trip to Melbourne. It’s crazy to think this all happened in just a year or so.

Wow, what a full circle moment! What would you say is the hardest part about tattooing?
I feel like the struggle isn’t something I’m facing alone, it’s something a lot of tattoo artists are going through right now. Tattooing has been slowing down recently, and one of the hardest parts is definitely the financial side of things. It’s tough to build a steady clientele. It’s not necessarily because the work isn’t good, but I think there’s been a shift in cultural views—maybe tattooing isn’t seen as “cool” in the same way anymore.

Social media also plays a huge role now, and that’s where things get even trickier. The hardest part is putting in the time and effort to maintain a social presence, and doing it authentically. You don’t want it to come off as a gimmick. That’s something I’m really trying to work on because I believe doing it right will not only help Time Tattoo Co., the shop I’m tattooing at right now, but also help me and everyone else involved too.

With how passionate you are, we’re sure you’re able to weather out the storm! Final question: what’s the most memorable tattoo you’ve done?
When I went to Australia, I was really struck by how strong and unique their tattoo culture is, especially in the American traditional style, which is what I do. The style I’m influenced by draws a lot from old flash, and there’s a particular era from the late ’70s to early ’90s in Sydney—especially around King’s Cross—that really shaped what I love about tattooing.

An artist that I was really inspired by is Fred Heinrich. One of his most iconic designs is a skull melting off the skin. It left such a strong impression on me that, after everything I learned during my trip, I came home, reinterpreted the design in my own way, and tattooed it. I’m pretty sure it was the first time that specific piece had ever been done in Singapore, which made it feel really special. It felt like I helped preserve and share a piece of that era here—and the response was amazing.

If I had to compare a place in Singapore to King’s Cross, I’d say Parklane Shopping Mall where Time Tattoo is comes close. It’s a little dingy and chaotic at night, but full of character. These kinds of environments were where tattooing thrived back in the day. A lot of newer shops today feel more like clinics—clean, quiet, and polished—but to me, that’s not what tattooing is. Tattooing should feel alive, a bit rough around the edges. That’s what I think the modern scene is missing, that kind of raw, rock-and-roll spirit is what makes tattooing beautiful to me.