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| Sunday, 17 August 2003 |
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At one time associated with gangsters and their insignia, tattoos have lately scorched their way into the world of urban fashion and daring. Farah Macan Markar talks to Tony from Tony and Dee Salon London to figure what pleasure lies behind the pain. Originating from Africa, where each tribe would insert onto their skin a picture of an animal, the most popular the lion, to differentiate one tribe from another, needling tattoos onto the body, has become today, a fashion, a trend, a phenomenon -"Tattooism". So what exactly is "Tattooism"? According to Tattooist, Tony Cooray, from "Tony and Dee Salon London" down Galle Road, it is basically Art on Body. "Using a needle and ink to create various patterns on the skin". So the skin is the canvas. The needle - the brush. The ink - the paint. The tattooist - the artist, and the finished customer - the masterpiece. Vola. Tattoos are something unique, special and long lasting, which gives a person a whole new identity. Says: Tony "A gold ring can be stolen or lost. A tattoo cannot ever be taken or thrown away. It stays with the bearer forever". Lasting forever, some people have even used them as a token of love. Instead of exchanging rings, the bride and bridegroom to be, come to Tony's place and have each other's name tattooed around their ring fingers. The boy's name on the girl, and the girl's name on the boy. "They get a tattoo ring, which lasts forever to symbolise their love", says Tony. Dating couples too it seems come and get themselves tattooed in the same spot with the same design, to identify themselves as a pair, thus building a special bond and connection as well. While 99% of the customers go for black, reveals Tony, blue is popular as well. "Coloured tattoos tend to fade away with time. It is the black and blues which are the more professional colours". While it can be done anywhere on the body, the neck, naval, shoulders and thighs are the more popular places that animals, birds, flowers, star signs, letters, numbers, tribal designs and symbols are inserted. With "Tattooism" becoming more and more popular, and having them inserted all over the body, Tony says, people even get their clothes done to reveal and match the tattoos. So how exactly is this body art done? According to our Tattooist who gets his designs from England, once the design is selected it is drawn onto a tracing paper, and then transferred onto the body. "Using brand new, stainless steel needles, which we break open before the customer, and imported tested tattoo ink, through the use of an electric machine the colours are inserted onto the skin". The time taken to do all this, differs depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo. While an average one takes about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, a larger complex one would take 1 1/2 hours. The Tattoo clientele in Sri Lanka, Tony reveals is picking up. Those days, "Tattooism" was associated with gangsters and mobs. Parents would forbid it. Today however things have changed. Says Tony: "I have mothers coming with their teenagers to get themselves tattooed. I also have 40 year old guys who have always wanted to do so, but never been able to, upto now." Most of the crowd who go for tattoos though are between the age of 20-30. "Tattooism" today being for everyone, Tony has had people from all parts of the country from all walks of life walk in for a tattoo. "I have had people from out of Colombo who get up early morn come here and get themselves tattooed". While most of the outstation lot come from places such as Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Galle, Matara, there are those who have even come from Jaffna and Batticaloa. As for the "All walks of life", this as it turns out includes doctors and two police sub inspectors as well. So what about health and safety? "This is very important" Tony says "There are so many unprofessional people who do not have the experience or knowledge, tattooing people in the streets. This is a dangerous situation". Tattooing being a profession which needs the utmost cleanliness, a sterilised needle, and tested tattoo ink is essential. "It is also important to know the correct method of doing it" says Tony who has had 10 years of experience in Tattooing, ever since he learnt the art in London. Living in London ever since he was a kid, doing different things in his life, such as photography, building contract works, having his own shop, Tony first thought of tattooing after seeing the young English guys and gals showing them off. "The tattoos were fascinating. I thought I should introduce this art into Sri Lanka". First doing a semi permanent make up course, which was similar to tattooing, Tony had to draw eyebrows, eye liner, lip liner with needles. These makeovers as it turns out last five years. Having mastered that art, he moved onto tattooing, learning its techniques and practising it on dummies. "In tattooing you have to really master the art before doing it on people, for one small mistake could ruin a person's skin" says Tony recalling those days of tedious practice after practice. Anyway his wife being a beauty therapist, they decided to get together and open a salon of their own in Sri Lanka, which would also have in it body tattooing. Thus "Tony and Dee Salon London" came into being two years ago, with Tony's name, his wife's name and the place where they learnt it all in it. With tattooing having no limitations on how creative and original one can be, Tony finds it as challenging as an artist painting a picture. "Tattooing is an art for me. I enjoy it a lot, and never tire of it. The best part of it is seeing the finished product and seeing the customer happy with it". |
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