The New Tattoo

The weekend before my tattoo appointment for the outline sitting, I met an amazing individual who happens to have no tattoos. In casual conversation, the upcoming tattoo appointment was mentioned and I was challenged to articulate why I was getting this piece done. Many people, possibly yourself included, have asked the simple question of "Why?". I didn't have an immediate answer during this conversation and that frustrated me. After a couple days of reflection here is what I wrote as a response.

...when you asked me about my tattoo, i didn't have a clear explanation to satisfy your honest curiosity and it's been bothering me ever since we spoke of it. i didn't have an articulate explanation because i haven't told very many people about it. i didn't like the feeling of being judged by your opinion of tattoos in general and i was disappointed in myself for not being able to clearly define the significance that it embodies for me. this manifested itself briefly as a feeling of doubt but ultimately helped me critically reflect on my own motivations for getting this new tattoo. i know the answer to the why? deep within myself, but i have rarely shared it with someone else. i appreciate that you challenged me to evaluate my desires and come to a better understanding of how to express them.

there are 5 elements which explain why tattoos are significant to me: i am a nomad; i am a 'young' soul and therefore, at times, painstakingly reflective; i am an artist; i am a risk taker; and life is short.

i am a nomad. permanency is a something i rarely touch. the permanency of a tattoo is one of the only ways i have ever felt the weight of something forever. it is powerful and i am drawn to that.

i am young. i can be naive. i am very impressionable. i am always learning, but never afraid to fail. i don't experience regret. i do believe that hindsight is 20/20; i never stop reflecting upon my experiences to learn new things about myself. i write in a journal, and more importantly, i always read, reread, reevaluate and learn from my past entries. my tattoos are an artistic record of who i am and the experiences that have shaped me. they are my own celebration of such stages of learning and periods of growth.

i am an artist. i have created art all around the world. most of what i create is temporary, left behind, given away, covered up and ultimately lost from my life. tattoos have always intrigued me for their permanency and also their beauty. from my eyes, when done tastefully, art on flesh is one of the sexiest expressions of beauty. as an artist, tattoos are important to me because they are mine - my taste, my canvas, my choice, and my perspective. tattoos can be breathtakingly beautiful to me. unlike many people, every tattoo i have is entirely for me, for my memories, my experiences and in no way for someone else. for me, tattoos define a strong and unique connection between creativity of the mind and the body.

i am a risk-taker. i enjoy not knowing exactly how things will turn out. i crave adrenaline and the anticipation of something monumental.

life is short.

this might seem like an extreme overindulgence to you (quite honestly this was written much more for me than for you, but i do enjoy sharing). you inspired and challenged me to articulate my motivations which turned into a significant appraisal for me. i really appreciate this...

And now, one week later, I have the outline finished. It was a truly amazing experience; two solid hours without a break. Joey Pang is an incredible presence. She made me feel comfortable and I trusted her entirely.

According to Japanese legend, if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement.

More generally, the Japanese associate koi (also known as carp) with perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals.

The Designer and the Artist - Joey Pang

After almost a year of careful consideration, I have decided on my first full-colour tattoo piece. For this work, I have come to terms with the idea that price, duration and pain are of little significance. What I have prioritized is choosing the right time and place, adequate preparations and planning and most importantly the relationship I can develop with the artist.

I needed to find an artist in HK whose philosophy of art (and specifically tattooing) is in tune with mine. Different from my previous tattoos, this proposed piece will be an elaborate piece of art. Not just a symbol or a token, not just an outline which represents my own story within it. This will be a story inside and outside itself. With the exception of my first tattoo, all of my subsequent tattoos were carefully crafted and drawn by me. These were straight-forward and simplistic designs. The process is important as it gives me ownership of, and connection to, not only the tattoo itself, but the experience it represents. However for this proposed piece, as complicated as it is, I needed a professional tattoo artist who would eventually draw the final piece for me. I needed to find someone who could create my masterpiece, not only for me, but with me. Someone I can collaborate with openly, someone I trust entirely, and can rely on to take the time to understand the complexity and intricacy of my design.

So I went to work investigating tattoo artists in HK, the history as Asian tattoos and the significance of certain design elements. I have spent countless hours reading artists blogs, publications, reviews, and tattoo shop web pages. I have studied image galleries, sample portfolios and design sites full of ideas and examples of actual artists work. Yesterday I made my choice and luckily she is available for this project. Meet Joey Pang.

From Hong Kong Hot List (November 5th, 2009) 20 People to Watch
#11. Joey Pang: Taboo Artist

By standardizing the practice, Joey Pang hopes to banish the Chinese stigma against tattooing as something only for society’s underbelly.

"Tattooing isn't just about the art, there are other tangible consequences to the craft, such as issues with hygiene," says Pang. "By standardizing the practice we can bring tattooing in from the periphery of society.”

Pang's Tattoo Temple on Stanley Street is now offering courses in tattooing as a prelude to her plans for a tattoo school in the UK, which she hopes to open within one year.

JOEY PANG - INTERVIEW
At HK's Tattoo Temple the beauty of 'Ink to Ink' is highly apparent in the form of owner Joey Pang, a 29 year-old female tattoo artist that is not only inspired, but multi-talented. Shoes are removed before entering the unusually calm environment, which helps prepare the mind and body for what is about to occur. Pang reveals that the art form got her hooked from a very young age. "Since I was a child I always loved drawing and painting, as it was a way through which I could express myself. This led me to follow a career in design and later beauty, in the form of makeup." It was during this latter period that she became engaged in the activity of painting tribal henna versions of tattoos on people. "I was painting on someone's body and realised that I wanted to do this permanently. I really wanted to explore the beauty of ink to skin in the form of tattooing. I knew that this was my calling."

This realisation led Pang to travel to New Zealand to further explore the tribal tattoos, which were becoming more popular. Following this trip and gathering all the information she could, Pang went to Thailand, where she met the legendary Chris Wroblewski, who taught her everything he knew about the art of tattooing. His book, The Tattoo Bible, contains hundreds of facts and photographs of the beauty of this ever-expanding art form, including a history of HK's tattoos. "When I was in Thailand, I was able to practice my tattoo skills on at least three people a day, because the Thais believe that tattoos are good luck. This also gave me the confidence to work on people." Pang goes on to state how Chris influenced her entire view of the art form. "He taught me everything I know and encouraged me to go and learn more about tattoos in Europe, so off I went." Being ever curious, Pang traveled to France, Germany and Switzerland, working part time jobs on the side, to keep her curious fire burning."It was such amazing experience, and I find even now that I am learning new styles of tattooing," she enthuses.

Upon her return to HK, Pang took the decision to open up her own tattoo studio at age 27. "I wanted to show HK people other styles of tattooing apart from the usual gangster style ones that were apparent everywhere" she states confidently. Being a firm believer in expression, Pang views tattoos as a part of the ever-evolving self in which the body acts as a diary or a canvas to mark life's experiences. "I am now 29, Tattoo Temple has been open for two years and I plan to take it to new heights. I believe that HK tattooing is not yet as evolved as other places."

Pang wants to make her mark on HK by educating individuals about the new techniques associated with tattoos, and also show that colour tattoos don't fade as they once did. " In HK, tattooing has only been around for about 60 years. James Ho came here from Shanghai and introduced this beautiful art form to HK, where one of his tattoo studios still remains. Amongst some of the oldest tattoo places in HK are Ricky and Pinky's in Wanchai, which is still around and Benny Tsoi's in Jordan, which is now run by his son. His daughter also owns her own tattoo studio in Granville Road."

When asked how she handles customers, Pang merely states, "It's all informal. They usually call me and I design a tattoo for them in my studio. I don't like to copy other people's designs because I like creating unique tattoos for unique individuals." And this truly seems to be the case, as there are absolutely no displays of other peoples' tattoos on her wall. The only displays are her own calligraphy tattoo designs. "one of my favourite things to do at the moment is Chinese Calligraphy. I love Chinese and Japanese styles as they really inspire me."

In five years' time, Pang claims that she sees herself creating her own styles of tattoos that she hopes will become as widespread as the tribal influence. "The skin tells a story , it can mark the journey of life, which in itself is something so beautiful."