Embark on an intriguing interview with Tae, a tattoo artist hailing from Korea and currently making waves in Vancouver. Specializing in realism, with a focus on black and grey, fine lines, and geometry, Tae shares the story of how he developed his distinctive style, drawing inspiration from global tattoo luminaries. Discover the themes and stories that fuel his creative process, as well as his collaborative approach with clients that results in projects he takes great pride in. Join us as we delve into the world of tattoo artistry with Tae.
Please tell our readers a little about yourself. How did you decide to become a tattoo artist, and what were you doing before tattooing?
- Hello, I’m a Korean artist named Tae, currently working in Vancouver. Specializing in realism, I focus on black and grey, fine line and geometry styles.
Who was your teacher, and who inspires you now?
- My mentor is @q_tattoos. Currently, I’m inspired by @chou_tattoo, the crews at my tattoo shop @cheytatt, @twiggysmvlls, @padghamtattoo, and my team member @sumok_tattooer from Korea. Lastly, the mentor I admire is @q_tattoos.
In your works, one can trace the origins of inspiration from several tattoo styles. Tell us, how did you come to develop this particular style? And what distinctive features do you emphasize in your works?
- I find the works of @oscarakermo in New York really fascinating. I think it suits my personality and style well. Following this artist's works, I naturally adopted this style. My works emphasize designs that complement the body line, conciseness, and realism.
Which plots do you prefer? And where do you draw inspiration from?
- I prefer stories with clear themes like Greek Mythology, arts in the Renaissance or Baroque, etc. I get inspiration from everything in life, including the road I walk down while listening to my playlist, great interiors of restaurants, music videos of musicians, scenes from movies, fellow tattooists, moments in the shower, and during daydreams.
And what about your clients? Who are they? Are there many foreigners among your fans?
- My customers come from all over the world, and now I have more non-Korean fans.
Is it more often collaborative ideas with clients or not? Tell us how your projects are born.
- Yes, I collaborate with clients more often. When the clients send me images they like, I use those to create a design that suits the body line with my own touch.
Do you have any projects that you are most proud of? Can you tell us about them?
- My proudest project is the one I received an award for at Korea Tattoo Convention in 2022. I searched for models to participate, and the condition was to design everything from 1 to 10 with my ideas. I was curious about how I would be evaluated and how the public would react to my work. The result was an award, and it gave me confidence and courage in the path I am taking.
Do you travel a lot for work? Where and with whom have you had the opportunity to work? Could you tell me about the most significant experience for you?
- Somewhat yes. I had a chance to collaborate with @chou_tatt in Vancouver. It was an honor to work with a tattooist who uses beautiful colors, which is not my usual style. We worked seamlessly together, from the preparation of the task to the finishing touches, and the end result turned out great. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my first collaboration work that was completed successfully.
How about tattoo conventions? Can you share your experience?
- You can see tattoo artists from all over the world with various styles. It broadens your perspectives and gives you new insights by being exposed to new things. If you do tattoos, I recommend participating at least once.
What else do you do besides tattooing?
- Besides tattooing, I explore diverse mediums such as martial arts, paintings, exhibitions, concerts, and plays.
Can you share your plans for the near future?
- My plan for the near future is to spend more personal time drawing to improve drawing skills. I also plan to go on a Canada and Europe Convention Tour.
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