Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/580873
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2015 10 News "IT'S more than just skin deep," is the gist of my wide-ranging and enthusiastic conver- sation with Christian Stellini – soon-to-be restaurateur, avid comic book fan and the most heavily tattooed person that I know. Taking even a cursory look at his conspicu- ously marked skin, you'd be tempted to re- ply: I should hope so. Even in this day and age, tattoos evoke a strong reaction. Whether it's the enthusi- astic commitment of confirmed tattoo ad- dicts like Christian, or the consistent hum of opprobrium from a still-sizeable chunk of the general public, a tattoo – no matter how small or strategically tucked away – will re- main, at the end of the day, a statement of some kind. But there's no denying that attitudes are changing, and one sure sign that tattoos are no longer the provenance of sub-cultures – like bikers, metal heads and sailors – is the setting up of the Malta Tattoo Expo, whose second edition will take place at the Inter- continental Conference Centre, St Julian's from 9 to 11 October. According to organizer Damian Allison, hopes are high for yet another successful edition, after its first iteration attracted a crowd from "all walks of life". "Nowadays you'll find everyone from doc- tors and lawyers to bankers sporting body art," Allison observes triumphantly. But having started his career as an eager tattoo canvas at the tender age of 18, at some point in the early noughties, Christian is in fact well placed to comment on this culture shift, and his personal history with tattoos offers a telling glimpse into how one's rela- tionship with tattoos can evolve. Acknowledging this change in attitudes, Christian recounts how his first contact with tattoos was through his father. "Back then it was still frowned upon, but people just processed my father's tattoos in a different way: they'd say, 'okay those are sailor's tattoos' – and yes, my father hap- pened to be a sailor for a few years…" But as his teenage years rolled along, Christian became more and more exposed to tattoos, thanks to both family members and peers from his social circle. "What I found interesting was how my peers clearly got tattoos because they wanted them to be visible, and more than that, they wanted them to be liked. But things really started shifting in my mind when I would see even my mother getting tattooed, then my brother too… so it was always on the side- lines for me, so to speak." Christian eventually got his first tattoo at the age of 18 – a small and simple illustration of an explosion accompanied to the words 'I AM THE ATOMIC AGE' – but he's since disowned it… at least partially. "It's covered up now," he confesses sheep- ishly, "I got it because I believed that's where we're heading – humanity has the power to destroy itself and I'm pretty sure we'll acti- vate that power somehow. I still believe that, mind you, but perhaps nowadays I wouldn't etch it permanently on my skin so explicitly – I guess I've taken on a more elaborate sen- sibility." These 'elaborate' designs continue to at- tract a wide array of reactions, some of which Christian is frankly sick of hearing. "The worst one is when people ask me 'are they real'? It's not the question that bugs me as such – though I still can't fathom how you can ask something like that in this day and age – but it's the sheer stupidity behind it. Another one is, 'did it hurt'? Of course it hurts. It always hurts…" But he does acknowledge that generally, tattoo acceptance is getting better across the board. Damian Allison contributes by observ- ing that the "media has also played its part". With the Malta Tattoo Expo coming up, TEODOR RELJIC asks whether this beleaguered form of artistic self-expression has finally gone mainstream. He chats to the organizers and a couple of tattoo artists to get a lowdown on the situation, as well as a richly tattooed specimen… A word of advice Pros' suggestion to virgins eager on getting themselves 'inked' Stephan Abela Modern Tribe Studio Balzan "I love the first timers! It's always a pleasure to give them their first tattoo. My advice would be to choose wisely. Design and artist is what can make or break your tattoo." Guy Lee Guy Lee Tattoo Familee Studios Xaghra (Gozo) and Ghadira, Mellieha "Like any shoddy workmanship, bad tattoos are grim. Research your artists and spend time researching the right one, check their line work, notice whether their lines are strong or consistent, even and clean, check their shading and look at the colour gradation. Zoom in close to their work. Look at healed tattoos as well as portfolio images, which are usually taken straight after the tattoo is finished – once healed the mistakes and shaky lines will show more. Study the artist portfolio, understand their styles. Familiarise yourself what good work looks like. Once chosen, book a consultation with the artist to meet and discuss your ideas. As soon as you're happy with the design, just do it – embrace your tattoo, do not hold regrets, or fear judgement. And yes, of course they hurt, it's part of the journey." Marked for life PHOTOS BY RAY ATTARD