As tattooing comes of age, two of its leaders launch a landmark book
“Learning and starting was terrifying,” says the London-based tattoo artist, Duncan X, sat in the Gestalten bookshop space in Berlin-Mitte. “Being where I am now, 15 years down the line, it’s still terrifying.” That’s perhaps not the most reassuring statement to hear from a tattoo artist – but then, Mr X and his counterpart Alex Binnie are hardly average artists.
Hailed worldwide as two of the leading artists in their field, the duo were guest speakers at the launch of the new book “Forever: The New Tattoo”. Expounding on their own personal styles and what the tattoo industry means to them, Binnie is keen to address the trend of tattooing and the historical waves it moves through. “Tattoos are so big now that the people within that want to separate themselves within the tattoos they get: the more art type people and the more fashion type people. They’re trying to draw a line to say; everyone is getting a tattoo, but I’m getting diese type of tattoo.” Perhaps that’s a tribute to body art’s immense popularity today.
Binnie began his career in 1993, when he opened one of England’s most infamous parlours, Into You, but had learnt the art of tattooing in a London squat during the late Eighties. “There weren’t really shops as such, no one worked with anyone else as everyone hated everyone else. You basically worked on your own and slagged everybody else off”.
It’s an outdated mentality today, and certainly not true of Into You, where big egos are left at the door and a family mentality is the rule now. As well as having one of the most prestigious line up of in-house artists, Into You is also known for hosting guest spots for some of the biggest names in the industry past and present: Matty d’Arienzo, Jondix and Khan Tattoo. Similarly, Duncan X is no stranger to Into You world, with his time working there amounting an impressive 13 years, a substantial stint for any artist to be based in one location.
However, both Binnie and Duncan are animated by more than ink on skin. Back in the Eighties, Duncan was lead singer for the British techno/dance group Sheep on Drugs, whilst Binnie is also an established woodcut print maker.
There’s no fear, however, that either is looking for a new change of career anytime soon. “Any art form has its established figures and that’s your way in,” Binnie says. “I don’t want to be massively part of the print making world, I already have my place in the tattoo world”.
It’s reassuring is to know that though they may be comfortable, they’ll never forget where they came from.
“Forever: The New Tattoo” is published by Gestalten.
www.gestalten.com