Venice-based tattoo artist Dillon Forte is likely one of the world’s prime artists in sacred geometry design. Photographs by LUIS CHAVEZ
Dillon Forte goes the place no tattoo artist has gone earlier than
By Kamala Kirk
One of many world’s prime artists in sacred geometry design, Venice-based tattoo artist Dillon Forte views artwork as an extension of the physique. From Morocco to Mount Everest, he has traveled throughout the globe, discovering inspiration in all corners of the world and amidst nature.
It’s mirrored in his harmonious designs.
Forte’s clientele consists of Usher, Kehlani, Kat Von D, Think about Dragons’ bassist Ben McKee and NFL linebacker DeAndre Levy.
Certainly one of his most memorable experiences was flying to Morocco to tattoo Chris Hemsworth, who was filming “Males in Black: Worldwide.”
“That was one of the crucial fascinating experiences, I got here from the London Tattoo Conference and met up with Chris at his lodge,” Forte mentioned.
“We had been speaking for some time about doing a chunk for him. His daughter was there taking a look at my drawings and whereas she was doodling, she created a design primarily based off certainly one of mine, so I tattooed it on his arm. One other time I flew a helicopter out to a location above Base Camp on Mount Everest to do a tattoo for somebody.”
On one other event, Forte tattooed himself whereas visiting the Nice Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Inside the king’s chamber, he tattooed three dots on himself to signify the alignment of the pyramids with the Orion star system.
“I had my instruments in a fanny pack and the tiniest little setup, it was a extremely cool expertise,” Forte mentioned.
“I’m tremendous into anthropology and Egyptology. I really like studying about historical past, why we’re right here, what occurred prior to now and the way that pertains to what’s occurring now.”
Forte enjoys touring as a result of it provides him a break from his routine and opens him as much as new concepts and inspiration. He recurrently attends tattoo conventions around the globe and has traveled to Bali, Japan, Nepal, Tahiti, Singapore, Mexico, amongst different locations.
“My dad and mom took me touring regularly and it’s certainly one of my greatest passions,” Forte mentioned.
“I’m very ritualistic and routine-based, however I additionally prefer to have a whole break from that to have new experiences and adventures. I really like being outdoors and I’m actually impressed by historic knowledge, which lots of people overlook as a result of they don’t perceive it. True innovation comes from understanding the previous and historic practices.”
Born in Santa Monica, Forte moved to the Bay Space together with his dad and mom and grew up in Oakland and Berkeley.
His mother was an creator and his dad was a trend photographer, so Forte grew up uncovered to the humanities. The e-book “The Historical Secret of the Flower of Life” by Drunvalo Melchizedek fueled his geometric inspiration and has remained a basis of his work.
“My dad and mom all the time had books round so I’d examine a wide range of subjects like numerology, astrology and philosophy,” Forte mentioned.
Forte skateboarded and created artwork as a toddler and teenager, and enrolled in artwork lessons at Berkeley Metropolis School.
He acquired his begin with a tattoo apprenticeship when he was 19, then went on to work at numerous tattoo retailers across the Bay Space earlier than in the end opening his personal studio in Oakland.
“After I broke my ankle skateboarding, I noticed I in all probability wasn’t going to pursue that anymore, so I made a decision to give attention to artwork,” Forte mentioned.
“The primary tattoo I did was on myself – it was a star on my hand in between my thumb and index finger. Lots of people are nervous in regards to the permanence of tattoos, I don’t get that. I acquired my tattoos as a reminder of impermanence and mortality, you solely have about 90 years at greatest together with your tattoos, so I by no means considered them as a everlasting factor.”
Forte’s signature sacred geometry type options numerous motifs together with mandalas, cubes, line work and black dots, in addition to tribal and religious influences.
“The time period ‘sacred geometry’ was coined because of the architectural kinds of temples, church buildings and mosques, which all use these mathematical rules to encourage awe and provides the looks of perfection,” Forte mentioned.
“I create every kind of images, it’s all black and grey now, I don’t actually do coloration anymore. For me, it’s like a language. I’m making an attempt to say one thing with my work. I would like my work to really feel built-in with the physique, I name it the ‘infinity pool impact.’ As an illustration, you have a look at an arm, it has a silhouette however you don’t see the top of the design, it simply continues off without end into the space.”
Forte mentioned, by his occupation, he enjoys assembly totally different individuals and serving to them construct and share their artistic visions.
“I get to hang around and collaborate with totally different individuals day-after-day,” Forte shared.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do every day to some extent, and I get to suppose outdoors the field to assist inform a narrative that’s necessary and share some perception into the mysteries of our world.
“Creating visible artwork with needles on one other human’s physique is far more fascinating and excessive stakes. There’s a component of riot and hazard that makes it interesting.”
Two years in the past, Forte moved again to the Westside and ultimately opened store in Venice Seaside.
He just lately relocated to a brand new house on Lincoln Boulevard, which has a non-public tattoo studio and an artwork gallery that shows his canvas work and sculptural collaborations.
“I moved again right here to modify issues up and am approach happier now,” Forte mentioned.
“I just like the seashore, and I really like the colourful and optimistic vibes right here. I’ve been portray my complete life, and though I spend most of my time tattooing, I attempt to make restricted capability work which are additionally on the market.”
“My newest assortment is a sequence of summary geometric work about order and chaos. It’s like a research of sacred geometry within the medium that’s portray.”
Forte has a number of initiatives that he’s engaged on, together with a sacred geometry app that may permit individuals to design and draw, making sacred geometry extra accessible.
Forte can be constructing a market the place individuals should purchase and promote tattoo designs with a way of authenticity.
Final yr, Forte launched Forte Tattoo Tech, a line of eco-friendly tattoo merchandise he created as an answer to assist remedy the difficulty of extreme plastic use within the tattoo business.
He customized developed revolutionary merchandise together with ink caps, bottle baggage, eco-cling movie, rinse cups, razors and clip wire sleeves utilizing pure renewable plant-based assets resembling hemp, bamboo, cornstarch and sugarcane.
“Tattooing makes use of huge quantities of plastic and non-biodegradable supplies,” Forte shared.
“The quantity of trash produced is insane, particularly by tattoo studios, and it’s solely going to proceed to extend. I really like nature and I don’t wish to see it destroyed. We have to make our provides out of renewable assets. I don’t wish to complain about issues that I’m not actively altering, so I made a decision to be a part of the answer. I feel all issues are potential.”
For extra info, go to fortetattootechnology.com, dillonforte.com
