THE UNO-RIAN VOL. 1 NO.5 November 17, 2023
Feature
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Skin as Canvas: Life beyond Tattoos by MAECEL JOY PRIOLO
Imprinted for a lifetime with precise lines and contours. Needles as sharp as the eyes of an artist, turning flesh into masterpieces. With every contact of the tip to the skin, tells a portion of the story–a glimpse of a whole new narrative. Stained with colors of countless stories and buzzing sharp tools that have marked many, tattoo artists are conjurers of a mixture of imagination and truth. Every stroke and glide have contrived not just a combination of lines and shapes, but of life’s unheard tales. They have seen and heard thousands of stories and turned them into showpieces, but have you ever heard their own story? DEFYING MISCONCEPTIONS Tattoo art has never been always regarded as just self-expression. It has once been a symbol of negativity and rebellion. Although, tattoo art has gained a growing acceptance from the society, there are still subtle contradicting opinions from a few. Richard Ledesma, 30, from Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City is a tattoo artist for ten years. For a decade that he has been a tattoo artist, it is still a challenge for him and his clients because of the stigma associated with tattoo art. “It depends on the person who has a tattoo, it does not mean that when he has a tattoo he is already a bad person. Tattoo is an art and being a bad person is within your character and not your physical looks,” Richard shared firmly. He also shared that the people who criticize tattoo arts should have an open mind to educate themselves. “Those people who has a lot to say to tattoo art should study more and those who criticize it [tattoo art] lacks understanding of what art really is,” he added. Tattoo art may be unacceptable to some, but it is not a symbol of defiance nor a symbol of bad character. Tattoo art are display of selfexpression put into aesthetic. It may be an unusual art for many, but tattoo is still an art and are vivified by the same artists who paint on canvas or draw on paper. CREATIVE VENTURES Stigma circulating around tattoo art is one, but being a tattoo artist who follows where the crowd is another story to tell.
much as he enjoyed his stay in Zamboanga, it was not easy because during the time they stayed in there, a war broke.
he was easily swayed because his brothers and his whole family is also his inspiration as an artist.
“We stayed in Zamboanga City for a month and I enjoyed it but with fear since there was a war and all visitors like us are suspects because of the possibility of being a terrorist, so the city [of Zamboanga] is really strict,” he stated.
“ He [my brother] used to ask me to join in his organization of tattoo artists. I was also able to support my family and not only as a tattoo artist but being an artist in general has been a source of my income. I am able to continue what I am doing because of my family,” he shared.
To be an artist is difficult. More often than not, it is a risk especially as a tattoo artist who goes from one place to another just to be uncertain of the outcome. Just like what Richard experienced, festivity can turn into a battle in a blink of an eye. ARTISTIC VERSATILITY UNLEASHED Being an artist means that you are well diverse and crafty enough to spring your artistry into another. One can be a singer and a dancer, another can be a writer and a speaker. It only means that an artist is an emblem of diversity and talent.
Richard is a proof that being an artist should not limit you to do just one thing. To be an artist is to do many things and get to enjoy them–to travel and go places, to etch colors into canvas and even flesh, and to be able to support your family from it. Art does not have to limit into what society wants it to be. It should be free and be able to free individuals—a form of boundless creation and artistry. Artists, may it be writers, singers, dancers, painters, and tattoo artists should never be chained by society’s convention but be able to break it and transform minds and make visions come alive.
Richard’s first day is not with needles and inks but of brush and paints. He shared that he is always passionate with his art, may it be paintings or tattoos. “I became a tattoo artist in 2013 but before that, I was a painter, I am a visual artist. Although, I am now a tattoo artist, I still continue to paint such as canvas painting and even mural painting,” he shared with delight. He also shared the he was
Richard’s business of tattoo art includes a physical store and a pop-up. But more than being inside the walls, he shared that he and his brothers are often seen where festivities are. “We have been in Zamboanga City, Mindanao. It was a great experience to travel to places not only here in our city but also outside the province,” he shared. However, Richard shared that as
influenced by his brothers to share the same passion in tattoo art and
SKIN AND INK. 30-year old Richard Ledesma, expertly inks a customer at the University Week 2023, Nov. 17. ◘ photo by LESEL EREXIMA.
