For some, it’s an expression of affection and unity, while for others it’s a statement of rebellion and liberty. Each tattoo has a distinct tale to tell. Asrashaheen.in sets out to explore this awe-inspiring art in conversation with Chetan Salhotra, Founder and tattoo artist, Inkspace Studio. He and his diverse team of passionate tattoo professionals are all geared up to serve their clients with the utmost care and caution in these Covid-19 times.
Elaborate floral mandalas on the forearm; gorgeous watercolour butterflies on thighs and shoulder back; overlapping circles and intricate lines and complex dot work on the lower back… Welcome to the enigmatic world of tattoos, where your body transforms into a canvas of unlimited imagination and endless creative possibilities. “The world is but a canvas to our imagination”. These words of Henry David Thoreau (American essayist, poet, and philosopher), perhaps best describe the body modification art of tattooing.
Tattooing has historically been integral to the socio-cultural practices of indigenous communities across the globe. From celebrating endurance at puberty to demonstrating the ability to perform duties in adulthood, tattooing is the essence of clan identity in many tribes. The mesmerizing aura of varied tribal art forms, including inking, has inspired the fashion sense and lifestyle of generations and continues to charm the millennials and zillennials to this day.
Did You Know?
- The word tattoo comes from the Samoan (a Polynesian language) word tatau, meaning “to strike”.
- A tattoo machine pierces your skin 50 – 3000 times per minute.
- A well-preserved body of a man nicknamed, Ötzi, discovered beneath a glacier in the Alps is the oldest proof of tattooing, dating back to 3250 BC. The body displays 61 different tattoos.
- Although Captain James Cook’s voyages to the South Pacific in the 1770s popularised modern tattooing in the West, this form of body modification has been present in since the times of Ancient Greece.
- The first tattoo machine is believed to be inspired by Thomas Edison’s electric pen.
- An ancient Roman physician’s tattoo ink components included insect eggs.
- In Ancient China, during the Qing Dynasty, tattooing characters such as 囚 (“Prisoner”) on the faces of convicted criminals was a common practice.
A temporary or permanent design made by inserting ink, dyes, and pigments into the dermis layer of the skin to change its colour is what tattooing is all about, technically speaking. But what’s more interesting is the unique inspiration that drives an individual to get the body modification done and to cherish it for a lifetime. Equally compelling are the skills, patience, and perseverance of a tattoo artist whose expertise in handling with care and hygiene is of utmost importance to his/her clients.
Each tattoo has a distinct tale to tell. Ornamental splendour, expressions of affection and unity, personal narrative, cryptic codes and symbols, statement of confidence, artistic liberty, rebellion and more… Asrashaheen.in sets out to explore this awe-inspiring world of art in conversation with Chetan Salhotra, Founder and tattoo artist, Inkspace Studio. Here’s a diverse team of passionate and experienced tattoo artists, who put their clients to ease with a fun-loving environment but have the best practises in place when it comes to health and hygiene. Inking indelible impressions by matching up to the imagination and expectations of Delhiites, the studio is strategically located in Hauz Khas Village, a historic neighbourhood and cultural hub in South Delhi. Their vibrant portfolio of tattoo professionals includes Chetan, Ali Burrni, Prashant Yaduvanshi, Apeksha Mishra, Bruna Free Spirit, and TJ. Each artist brings his/her own distinct style and techniques, strengthening the core competencies of the studio.
Chetan shares how he and his team find myriad possibilities of transforming the little details, hints and ideas into something visually amazing that their clients take back with them for a lifetime. With India unlocking in the Covid-19 scenario, the studio is back to business all geared up to serve its clients with care and caution.
In Conversation with Chetan Salhotra, Founder & Tattoo Artists, Inkspace Studio
You were initially a graphics designer before taking to tattoo art. When and what made you take up tattoo art?
I am a B Tech by qualification but I have been tattooing since 2006. By the time I completed my B Tech, I was pretty sure that I wanted to become a tattoo artist as it comes to me naturally. My early hands-on experience with a pencil and sketch pad helped me a lot to learn fast, to perform tattoos better. Designing and digital art are skills that I learned along the way.
How did Inkspace studio happen?
I was working with Devilz Tattoos in New Delhi and Gurgaon for almost 5 years. Eventually, Inkspace happened in the year 2017; the studio turns three this year. We are now a team of seven tattoo artists, including me. Our team specializes in different forms and styles such as Realism, Geometric, Minimalism and more in black & grey and coloured tattoos.
To add further, Inkspace is an open-space studio. We have a Guest Spot for artists who don’t own a studio but are professionally skilled in tattooing. We are happy to share our space with such artists, who can work with us. (Further details on www.inkspacestudio.com)
From style statement to a personal narrative to rebellion, each tattoo has its own tale. How do you strive to match up to your clients’ sense of imagination?
We have different people on our planet and tattoo to them is all the above you mentioned. We work hard patiently to match up to their imagination and come up with creative ideas and visual concepts to represent their ideas.
Tell us something about your art style – Realism, Geometry & Portraits. How much has tribal art influenced your style?
My style of tattooing is not limited to one but if I have to choose my favorites then it would be Realism, Portraits, and Geometry. These are the ones I love the most. I have also done dot work, watercolors, tribal, old-school, new-school and minimal tattoos.
But yes, in the beginning of my career, my tribal art was something that earned me recognition and inspired me to do something different.
Most people see only the “coolness” and glamour of a stylish-looking tattoo artist at work. Take us through what all goes into inking designs on the skin — the intricacies, care, and responsibilities involved.
A tattoo is a skill to be mastered to achieve the best results from your artwork; it’s forever a learning curve. In modern cities of today, tattooing has come a long way with technological advancements in performing with safety and easy aftercare solutions coming from trusted brands such as Tat-Wax, Dermalize Pro,and others.
It’s also a great sense of responsibility as the tattoo has to be performed in a sanitized and hygienic environment to avoid infections.
There’s a great deal of homework and hard work that goes behind the “cool” and “glam” image of a tattoo artist. We study the subject a night before and the next morning, we organize all the requirements for executing the tattoo. Besides continuous skill upgradation, it requires staying absolutely focused and patient for long hours; some sessions can last as long as 14-16 hours! (The next time you spot an artist with tattooed arm performing a tattoo, remember all the toil that goes behind that “cool” look.)
One section of tattoo enthusiasts would love to get tattooed but can’t stomach the idea of going under the needle. How do you motivate this lot?
I think one of the best ways is to understand the process and not believe myths out there about pain and needles. I think the first-time fear can be terrifying in imagination but in reality things are easy and the pain is bearable. Anyone who has apprehensions is welcome to visit our studio and get some motivation.
We always make sure our clients check the needles and other disposable stuff (for seal, expiry dates) so there is no fear of infection in their mind.
How are you getting back to business in the COVID-19 scenario? What are the safety norms and other SOPs being followed?
Best practices of tattooing have always made us mindful of the risks of cross-contamination. We follow the International standard of tattooing. In the present Covid-19 scenario, we are taking strict measures and following the guidelines of International health organizations. This year we have come up with an online consultation and appointment system, which has received a good response from our clients as booking is just a few clicks away. (For complete details on Covid-19 guidelines and booking appointment go to www.inkspacestudio.com)
