TATTOOIST INTERVIEWWhat memories of your career will always
stay with you?
Oh definitely when my daughter Nadia tattooed me
for my birthday when she was six. On my knee. That
was the moment she began her apprenticeship. She's
20 now, and working full-time with me. I'll never forget
that day. I also remember how nerve-wracking it was
to do my first tattoo at a shop. I'd applied for a job
there, and the boss told me to bring a client and show
him I could actually tattoo. I was shitting my pants and
I did a terrible wobbly insult to tattooing, Kamikaze
style with a single needle liner. He looked at this train
wreck and said, 'It's alright, you start tomorrow, 10am.'
I praise his lack of sound judgement every day.
When, in your opinion has been the best time
for tattooing?
Fucking now. No question. One could argue that it was
better in the good old days of sailors and prostitutes,
but the problem is that we humans idealise the past.
There's never been so many absolutely incredible
artists doing so many great tattoos, in every style and
every direction. And even with all the negative things
happening, all these Instagram wannabe rockstar
bullshitters and a whole army of scratchers, trend
followers and business people who only see this as a
profit opportunity, this is the golden age we are
witnessing.
If you could go back in time and give yourself
some advice, what would it be?
I would tell myself to go to art school and get classical
training in how to draw and paint. I did it later
anyway, but it was too late. If I'd done it earlier, I'd be
miles ahead now. The more I learn, the more aware I
am of my own limitations, and I really regret wasting
my energy and time on pointless things. But I also know
I wouldn't listen to myself...
Kali
Never Say Die
38A George St,
Croydon CR0 1PB
Tel: 0203 609 5317
[email protected]
kalitattoo.com
http://www.neversaydietattoo.com
http://www.instagram.com/kalitattoo