SUZANI. INK TO ENDURE PAIN.
Gestated at the bottom of the abysm, this artist’s work has been born from the ashes of an unlimited fire that brings light to the human skin.
Whenever you see Tomie with a Manbi mask, Suzani’s ink is there.
The character of Tomie by Junji Ito, is a breathtaking yet evil woman who manipulates, seduce and destroy. A Japanese horror manga character which is a huge creative reference of Suzani’s art.
Well known of blood-curling folktales, Suzani is a Korean tattooer famous for her incredibly beautiful tattoos filled with hunted atmospheres.
Her path to tattooing began in a duel with her dark side and, the same way, she has taken that dark side and made it her personal signature. Suzani imagines Tomie with a Manbi mask, originally used in Japanese Not-theater, a mask symbol of domination and maturity, turning her into a powerful emblem to cope and to convey emotions.
Linked with fire and water, red and black reign Suzani’s palette with delicate but strong and secure strokes that captivate whoever see it.
The fierce tattooer of darkness that leaves a pleasing bittersweet taste to human canvas.
Can you tell us a little bit of yourself? Who is Suzani and her background?
Hello GATA Magazine, I am Suzani, a tattoo artist. I am based in Seoul but before this pandemic, I had the luxury to travel and tattoo around the world.
How did you enter into the tattoo world?
My first memory ever starts with me drawing, and I’ve always wanted to become an artist.
I had been in furniture and interior design for quite a few years but somewhere in my mind, I didn’t give up on becoming an artist and along in the way, I also fell in love with tattoo.
There was a time when I was deeply depressed, and I was constantly thinking about ‘If I die now, what would be my biggest regret?’. The answer was ‘not being able to become a tattoo artist’ and that is how I started tattooing. I have such a great memories ever since then, so now, I want to continue to live.
In South Korea as in other East Asia countries, tattoos have been associated with crime and antisocial behavior. Still, nowadays, South Korea tattoo scene is seeking for a new regulation that allows artists to practice in a safer environment. From your experience, how has it been so far to dedicate your life to the tattoo world in such a difficult situation?
Tattooing in South Korea is still illegal, however, people’s perception towards tattoo has been changing. A lot of people think that tattoo is now an expression of fashion. There are so many great tattoo artists in Korea and what I do here is keeping on making new pieces and just doing my job.
Where do you find your main inspiration?
The main inspiration is emotions. When I feel something, I know there’s got to be someone else who feels the same way, I like to be the one who can empathize the same emotion as them.
“The main inspiration is emotions. When I feel something, I know there’s got to be someone else who feels the same way. I like to be the one who can empathize the same emotion as them.”
What about Violet Chachki? Ru Paul Drag Race’s Winner has been often an object in your drawings, is she a huge inspiration for you?
I think drag queens are very inspiring. I like to go to drag shows and when I saw Violet Chachki performing on stage, it was breathtaking. I am just a big fan of the drag culture.
Violet Chachki x Suzani.
Sasha Velour x Suzani.
You had created this woman-like mask that has become Suzani’s personal sign in your tattoos. With a reminiscence to a Manbi mask from Japanese Noh theater, you gave her a huge statement of your art. Can you tell us a little bit more about this character?
When I first saw the Manbi mask, I thought that they are fierce but also gruesome. In my early day of tattooing, I would just modify the shape of the mask. Then, I started to add the body to express a story of emotion. The girl behind the mask can be me, but it can also be you. It can be anybody. So that is why, most of the times, I draw people with masks.
Along with this character, black and red have become a strong mark of your style. Is there any particular reason behind that?
According to fortune telling, Asian Horoscope, I was born on the day of fire who lack of power of water. Allegedly, red represents fire and black represents water and I think that is why I was naturally drawn in red and black. I feel secured with those colors and maybe that is why I incorporate the colors to create designs.
There is an endless imagination in every piece you make, a huge range of forms, references, mixes... but there is a common feeling in all of them, something tragic taking the hand of a beautifully drawing strokes. Quite dark, quite deep. Where is this coming from?
I am not that lively or bubbly type of person, I am rather dark and somewhat depressed. I don’t actually aim to draw dark pieces but once I finish drawing, I ended up drawing dark pieces. Even when I draw something bright and cute, people think that they are dark. I guess everybody has different perspective on things.
Do you have any projects coming you can tell about?
I have few upcoming collaborations to share. Tatyou(@iam.tatyou) is going to launch 6 types of temporary tattoo stickers using some of my favorite designs. Also, I am working on another collaboration with Stay Cold Apparel (@staycoldapparel). It’s going to be in their April collection with 3 different designs of t-shirts.
Last but not least, there’s another collaboration coming up with Australian punk band Deez Nuts (@deeznutsdtd) and Stay Cold Apparel. We are going to release 2 merchandises for the band.
Cinema, like any other form of expression, can be a huge inspiration or even mindset changer. Do you have any favorite movie that has had a huge impact on you or your work or that perhaps you go back to re-watch it to find inspiration?
I always like to watch movies or music videos when I am not working. I feel like I get a little anxious when I don’t watch anything, so I would always have the videos played in the background. The list of my favorite movies is so long but my absolute favorites are the movie directed by Korean director named Park, Chan-wook. I have always been such a huge fan of his film so I recommend anybody who hasn’t had a chance to watch his work!