Whereas Abii earned a level in scenography from Sangmyung College in 2011 as a consequence of her love of studying performs and visualizing theatrical units, her pupil pastime was porcelain portray, which influenced her profession alternative (leading to six years as knowledgeable porcelain artist). Her curiosity in tattoos sprang from a want to see her works past porcelain and paper. She enrolled in a tattoo course in South Korea in 2019 and has been working in a Bucheon studio since. As a part of the brand new era of Korean tattooists, she focuses on the fine-line micro tattoosâremakes of well-known work and nature scenes.
Above: Abiiâs porcelain artwork (also referred to as Chinese language portray).
A conversion of an âAbii Collageâ right into a tattoo.
For a lot of Westerners, we aren’t used to tattoo academies. Please clarify what and the place it exists and what the course was like?
There are numerous methods to study tattoos in Korea, but it surely was important to discover a solution to implement my portray model with tattoos. So I went to my favourite artist (@soltattoo) to study his approach, and I utilized to the tattoo academy he runs. He primarily recruited individuals who might specific their work and performed lessons specializing in methods to implement the portray model with tattoos. So the very first thing I needed to do was submit my portfolio.
Birds are a standard subject within the artistâs work.
Which metropolis was the placement of the academy? What was the period of the course?
Solâs academy was in Seoul. (In the mean time, the academy is closed.) This system lasts three months. I realized the basics of tattooing, akin to utilizing tattoo machines, needle varieties, and ink properties, after which practiced on pretend skins with my designs. It features a process that may solely be carried out on actual pores and skin by these expert in utilizing machines and needles.
Bullfinch, an idea for the following tattoo.
Do you imagine there shall be an extra of tattoo artists as a consequence of these academies?
Sure, an growing variety of tattooists with numerous types, moods, and expertise are rising. As a result of tattoos are so common, I imagine there shall be extra clients looking for tattoos similtaneously employees.
Hummingbirds inked in a fine-line model.
So that you solely see this as constructive for the tattoo trade?
I’m neither constructive nor damaging; I observe the phenomenon. I agree that if there are extra tattoo artists, the place might be narrowed to some extent, however I donât imagine there’s a lot to fret about for a proficient artist (so long as you do your finest and try for creative exploration). So, what I would like from this phenomenon is for the tattoo trade to thrive and for this to grow to be the proper tradition.
Abii took half in a present titled âArtists/Insa Artwork Middle,â in Seoul.
Why not simply grow to be a porcelain artist? What’s so vital about having your work on someoneâs pores and skin?
Porcelain portray continues to be a enjoyable work, however now I need to depart it as a pastime. Tattoos are engaging as a result of they draw footage that stay on someoneâs physique for the remainder of their life, and I ought to be accountable for each second.
Abii created the floral work you see right here.
The subjects you explored in porcelain at the moment are being explored in tattoos. So this was a comparatively painless shift for you?
Sure, that’s right. At first, after going by means of a interval of studying instruments and methods, the supplies and canvases have modified to needles and skins, however my artwork actions are maintained as they’re.
My tattoos are normally detailed and have a female stream and shade. If I resolve on a selected style, it may very well be a realism tattoo. I need to specific my temper with shiny colours (like watercolor) whereas preserving the realism tattoosâ distinctive in completeness and class. I’m notably drawn to the works of Impressionist painters (akin to Monet and Van Gogh) who use daring brushstrokes to specific colours, Renaissance masterpieces with a narrative, the attractive feather colours of birds, and the fluid stream of vegetation.
Hydrangeas with a pillowy, elegant look.
What’s an âAbii Collageâ?
I drew the identical design on porcelain and pores and skin. It was a challenge that tried to find the realm the place the strains between these two arts had been blurring. âAbii Collageâ is my signature design, which creates a brand new picture by combining well-known work with classic fowl encyclopedias.
Abii, a tattooist from South Korea, in studio.
The place do you go once you need to see nature?
I favor locations with sea and mountains, and such locations should not removed from cities in Korea. After I need to really feel like Iâm touring distant, I am going to Jeju Island.
Pictures © Abii
