For centuries, tattooing has been a part of many distinct cultures and
civilizations across the world, from the Americas to Africa, Asia and the
Pacific Islands. Over the years, these tattoo communities have evolved
and today they’re united as a global culture through the power of social
media and online commerce. Akbar Tawakkal, also known as Ata Ink,
has flourished through the globalization of tattooing and attracts clients
from around the world to his studio in Jakarta, Indonesia. We sat down
with Akbar to learn more about his humble beginnings as a tattooer and
to understand what his prospective clients can expect out of his tattoo
experience.
Take us through your upbringing and how you discovered your love for art.
I studied visual communication design at a University in West Java. While
I studied, I discovered so many different kinds of art—such as music,
painting, drawing and design.
How did you get into tattooing? I got my first tattoo when I was 20. A year
after I got my first tattoo, I bought my first machine. It was very cheap. A
couple of months after I started tattooing, one of my friends who owned a
tattoo shop asked me to work at his shop. There, I discovered more about
tattooing and he taught me a lot.
How would you describe your signature style and where do you find your
inspirations? My signature style is color realism. I get inspiration from many
other good artists and I’m always looking to explore more inspirations. I’m
particularly inspired by women, space and futuristic imagery.
Do you prefer tattooing in black-and-grey or color? I prefer color. I love when
I play with many different colors within one tattoo.
What does your design process look like and how do you work with your
clients’ ideas? I make the design very close to the deadline. If I get free time,
then I’ll prepare the design first. But for the most part, I do the design the
day before the appointment date or on the appointment date. It typically
takes two to seven [hours] for each design, depending on the size and
difficulty. I need all of my clients to trust me, that’s why they shouldn’t worry
if I do the design on the day of tattoo.
Aside from tattooing, do you work in any other mediums? Yes, I designed
the logo of my shop, our t-shirts and other merchandise. I also designed the
interior of my shop all by myself.
What is the tattoo community like in Indonesia? There are so many tattoo
communities in Indonesia, every city has their own community. But we are
all still one and we support each other.
What are some of your favorite pieces you’ve tattooed? One of my favorite
pieces is the one that won Best Tattoo of the Day at the Australia Tattoo
Expo in 2018. It healed very well and I still can’t believe it’s my own work.
My client takes very good care of his tattoos.
What do you hope to tattoo more of in 2021? I hope that I will be able to do
more colorful and free-rein designs in the future.