talking about the FUTURE with TATTOO ARTIST PIERROT POKES

In the increasingly oversaturated ink game, how does one make a mark? The 24-year-old (real name: Brennan Tan) might know a thing or two. After all, the business management student went from inking himself for fun to becoming one of the most popular tattoo artists in Singapore in less than four years, if his Instagram followers are anything to go by (more than 40K and counting – his signature kawaii cats and anime-inspired characters are pretty fire). Here, he shares about how he started in the scene, how this gig is going and where he wants to end up.

- KENG YANG SHUEN

HEY, BRENNAN! TELL US: HOW DID YOU GET INTO TATTOOING?

"Initially, I was just trying out the art form for fun and tattooing on my own legs, experimenting and trying to figure out my style. I didn't really know what being a tattoo artist meant. After practising for some time on myself and close friends, I started tattooing in my room on a pay-as-you-wish basis. Bit by bit, I saved up and managed to open a private studio in Tanjong Pagar. Later on, a close friend and I started a studio near Haji Lane. It was truly an experience starting and being part of a bigger studio, and those two years are forever precious to me, as chaotic as they were. And now, I'm with Sabi Studio!"

WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME "PIERROT POKES"?

"It was inspired by the Pierrot character from commedia dell'arte (a form of Italian theatre popular between the 16th and 18th centuries), which is typically depicted as a loner and an outcast whose lover gets stolen ... I think I'm strong and independent, but I relate to Pierrot in the sense that I also see myself as being a bit weird and an outcast."

DID YOU TRAIN UNDER A MENTOR OR WERE YOU SELF-TAUGHT? ARE APPRENTICESHIPS NECESSARY IN THIS INDUSTRY?