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We can all appreciate Hong Kong’s big-name tattoo studios and trendy parlours, but don’t let that stop you from considering these talented independent artists…
Gone are the days of body modification in Hong Kong being massively taboo! Nowadays, there are plenty of options if you’re thinking of getting pierced or tatted, which is both a blessing and a curse for the indecisive girlies out there. If you’re new to tattoos, you may think of booking into the first parlour that shows up on Google — but before you do, consider checking out these independent artists.
Read More: The Top Tattoo Shops, Parlours & Studios In Hong Kong
The Pros Of Booking An Independent Tattoo Artist
Beyond the obvious — that independent artists tend to have lower prices per flash than famous tattoo parlours — there’s also more flexibility with private studios in terms of getting a personalised experience and custom designs. That’s not to say independent artists have endless time and energy to dedicate to your tattoo (you’ll often still have to book weeks in advance), but there is a more down-to-earth vibe than traditional parlours. Keep reading to discover some of our favourite tucked-away studios and creative independent tattooists who have made a name for themselves on social media and in the local scene.
Read More: Women Redefining Success In Hong Kong With Unconventional Careers
12 Of Our Favourite Independent Hong Kong Tattoo Artists
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Ga Ga Ma – Freehand watercolour tattoos
One of Hong Kong’s most followed artists on Instagram, Ga Ga Ma’s tattoos appear like watercolour on the skin. Her large-scale designs are primarily inspired by nature, often featuring ocean-related motifs like water, undersea creatures and mermaids. Note that she frequently tattoos freehand, without a pre-determined stencil.
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Formless Tattoo — Japanese fine line tattoos
A graphic designer, calligrapher and tattooist, Eddie Lo of Formless Tattoo is a Hong Kong native with a shared studio in Kowloon Bay. He studied traditional Japanese tattooing and often integrates these elements into his fine line designs, but his ink-like work has its own personal flair.
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Tell Em Tome — Colourful cybersigilism tattoos
Tell Em Tome’s style oscillates between colourful cybersigilism (abstract and cyborg-like) and “ignorant” tattoos (cartoonish and often child-like). The aesthetic has become extremely popular in recent years, but is difficult to find in traditional tattoo shops in Hong Kong.
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Yaso Soda — Micro sticker-sleeve tattoos
Yaso Soda is the fun side project of Wylun, a black-and-white realist artist. These dainty designs come in many shapes and forms, from more abstract and decorative “tiles” to lounging women and star-headed clowns. While small, his designs feature tons of gorgeous details and often come straight off of Yaso’s flash sheets, although colour, placement and sizing is nearly always alterable.
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Tightly Wound — Organic cybernetic tattoos
Flowers and water droplets meet cybernetic ethereality in Tightly Wound’s work. Think alienesque hieroglyphics, pointillist abstraction and purely decorative motifs that are truly unisex. Note that these designs are better suited to larger placements!
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Yan Yee — Cutesy microrealism tattoos
Based in Tuen Muen, Yan Yee is an artist whose work is so realistic, it appears more like photographs than tattoos. This is particularly impressive on such a small scale (the tattoo above is just under 4cm!), although some do say tattoos this miniature and detailed will fade quickly.
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Art In Outer Space — Hand-poked aggrogoth tattoos
Similar to cybersigilism, aggrogoth tattoos are abstract and veer more towards a gothic, patchwork aesthetic. Unlike many artists working with this style though, Art In Outer Space specialises in hand-poked (or “stick-and-poke”) tattoos, which often results in a more DIY look than machine tattoos.
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Szec Multiverze — Chunky anime tattoos
Another artist with multiple accounts in different styles, Sze Sze of Szec Multiverze specialises in super colourful and ultra femme anime tattoos. Three-dimensional crystals, bubbles and candies often frame her cutesy designs, making her work a popular choice for girls in the local community.
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Kash Komatsu Manni — Artistic ignorant tattoos
A designer, illustrator and arts educator, Kash Komatsu Manni’s designs are also available as permanent skin decorations! Their work draws on more sketchy and ignorant styles, but they also frequently tattoo custom ideas.
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Grace — Illustrative floral tattoos
Grace Illustrates is another Instagram-famous artist, which is no surprise after viewing her fantastical, fairy-like designs. Using a colourful pastel palette and extremely fine line work, these tattoos are as feminine as they come.
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Myth Pool — Abstract pointillism tattoos
Also known as “dot art”, pointillism is a style made of hundreds of small flecks which create a larger image. Myth Pool uses dot art to create abstract tattoos, but expect to see a lot of stars, sparkles and sun motifs in their work.
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LTO Ink — Unique calligraphy tattoos
LTO belongs to The Pot Tattoo Studio, a four-person private studio in Hong Kong. LTO’s designs put a modern twist on traditional calligraphy tattoos, with distorted words and characters forming unique imagery. Artistic but still legible, these tattoos take genuine talent to execute well.
Main image courtesy of Ritesh Raj via Unsplash, image 2 courtesy of Mike Von via Unplash, all other images courtesy of respective artists via their linked Instagram pages.
