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“Ink Report”
“Ink Report”
First access to exclusive designs, insider details, and a vibrant blend of tattoo tales served up weekly(ish).
Artist Guide
11
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18
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2024
In the world of tattoo artistry, few styles captivate with both beauty and horror as Dark Art tattoos do. This blog delves into the profiles of some of the most visionary artists in this haunting genre, each bringing their unique perspective to the dark and surreal. From Paul Booth’s shadow-laden work in New York City, which helped pioneer Dark Surrealism, to the mystique-infused creations of Ryan and Matthew Murray in Salem, Massachusetts, these artists explore themes that delve beyond the ordinary. Whether through Rob Borbas’s mythological-infused designs in Budapest or Debora Morrigan’s gothic elegance in São Paulo, each artist showcased here has carved a niche that’s as enigmatic as it is unforgettable. Read on to discover how these tattoo artists use ink to blur the line between beauty and nightmare, transforming the skin into canvases of dark allure. Learn more about the source material, techniques, aesthetics, and history of the popular tattoo style in the style guide here.
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A groundbreaking name in the world of Dark Surrealism, Paul Booth has built a reputation for his chilling, intricate black and gray tattoo designs that explore themes of horror and psychological depth. His work, spanning over three decades, is known for drawing viewers into a shadowy realm where art meets emotion in unsettling ways. Booth founded Last Rites Tattoo Theatre in New York City in 1998, an influential studio that doubles as an art gallery, fostering a community for tattoo artists and fine artists alike to delve into the darker side of art.
Ryan Murray, a Dark Art tattoo artist based in Salem, Massachusetts, brings an intense, enigmatic quality to his work. As one half of the twin duo behind Black Veil Tattoo, which he co-owns with his brother Matthew, Ryan has created a distinct style that combines gothic elements with surreal, otherworldly textures. His artistry is steeped in Salem's history and mystique, delivering tattoos that embody eerie beauty and shadowy allure.
Matthew Murray, twin brother of Ryan and co-owner of Black Veil Tattoo in Salem, Massachusetts, creates tattoos that seem to emerge from another realm. His work is deeply inspired by the darker side of art, with designs that invoke feelings of mystery and contemplation. Matthew’s pieces feature haunting details that blur the line between nightmare and beauty, solidifying his place alongside his brother as a key figure in Salem's Dark Art tattoo scene.
Operating out of Rooklet Ink, a private studio in Budapest, Rob Borbas is celebrated for his distinctive Dark Art tattoo style. Known on social media as Grindesign_tattoo, Borbas merges intricate line work with disturbing, surreal imagery, creating pieces that balance fine detail with an ominous aesthetic. His tattoos, often incorporating mythological themes, invite viewers to ponder the darker aspects of existence, showcasing his talent for evoking the eerie and the profound.
A Dark Art tattoo artist known for his nomadic work between Copenhagen, Las Vegas, and New Jersey, Christian Boye Larsen offers a sinister, atmospheric style. His tattoos are characterized by a blend of dark fantasy and realism, where subjects appear almost alive within shadowy, mystical worlds. With his portfolio ranging across continents, Larsen captures the haunting beauty of Dark Art tattooing in each location he touches.
As the owner of GRD Tattoo Art Gallery in São Paulo, Debora Morrigan brings a powerful sense of gothic elegance to her Dark Art tattoos. Her work, characterized by its rich textures and emotive compositions, combines elements of mythology and gothic imagery with a distinctly modern edge. Morrigan’s São Paulo studio has become a hub for those seeking tattoos that balance beauty and darkness, where every piece feels like a narrative captured in ink.
Based in Guangzhou and working out of Odd Egg Tattoo Studio, Arcs is a Dark Art/ Horror tattoo artist known for his haunting designs that blur the boundaries between the physical and the spectral. His tattoos often feature skeletal-like and supernatural motifs rendered with meticulous line work and bold, contrasting shading. Arcs has built a reputation for crafting pieces that evoke both fear and fascination, adding an element of gothic mystery to China’s tattoo scene.
Eliot Kohek, a Dark Art tattoo artist based in Annecy, France, is celebrated for his highly detailed and unsettling tattoos that push the boundaries of realism. His work features meticulously crafted skulls, skeletal forms, and haunting faces that seem to emerge from shadow. Kohek’s tattoos captivate those drawn to the macabre, making him a distinctive figure in France’s Dark Art tattooing community.
Operating from Kraków, Poland, David Jorquera’s work is known for its dark, expressive style that merges realism with surreal undertones. His tattoos often delve into themes of mortality and the supernatural, capturing an eerie, dreamlike quality. Jorquera’s pieces reveal his skill in blending precise details with emotive shading, making him a sought-after artist in the realm of Dark Art tattoos.
Based in Troy, New York, Jesse Levitt’s tattoos embody a unique blend of gothic and horror elements. His pieces often showcase skeletal figures, shadowy forms, and surreal compositions that evoke both beauty and dread. Levitt’s work is marked by its ability to transport viewers into dark, otherworldly scenes, establishing him as a distinctive voice in New York’s Dark Art tattooing world.
Each of these artists brings a distinct style and vision to the genre, capturing the beauty within darkness and the elegance within horror. Through their diverse backgrounds and locations, they collectively highlight the global allure of Dark Art tattooing.
Check out more Dark Art tattoo artists on Co:Create here
