From capturing the memories of a beloved pet to giving their clients a confidence boost with their work, the artists and friends reflect on their journeys and the challenges of being a woman in the tattoo industry
As far as tattoo studios go, there are no other like Zizizi in Hong Kong. Not only is it the only establishment of its kind in the city run by six women tattoo artists, but it also rose to prominence during the pandemic when face-to-face appointments were highly discouraged. However, Nathalie, Nicole, Sharon, Rika, Kristy and Hei (who all requested to go by their first names only) weren’t going to let those challenges keep them from honing their art and breaking boundaries within the tattoo scene.
While body art have long been considered taboo in Hong Kong, due to the outdated perception that associates tattoos with organised crime, a new generation of artists are slowly dismantling the stigma and popularising it as an art form. Women artists, who were almost invisible a decade ago, in particular, have been making their mark on the scene more than ever before.
Zizizi first opened in Tsim Sha Tsui in 2021, but the six women—who were either part of the studio from the start or joined mid-adventure—have since outgrown that space and moved to their new venue in south-east Kowloon, which opened its doors on June 1. If you can’t figure out where the name of the studio comes from, it is the “zizizi” sounds of a tattoo machine. That may be the only thing the six artists have in common, because each woman is known for very distinct styles of tattoos. Back in May of this year and ahead of the opening of their new space, Tatler talked to the six friends about their inspirations and aspirations, and their journeys within the tattoo industry in Hong Kong.
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Nathalie, founder of Zizizi
Tattoo style: Abstract, contemporary
How did you get into tattooing and what did the industry look like when you started?
I started learning about tattoos around five years ago. At that time, tattoo styles were not as diverse as they are now, and there were only a few well-known shops and artists [in Hong Kong]. In recent years, the number of people getting tattoos has increased significantly, and it has become more mainstream.
Does being a woman affect your standing in the industry?
One of the reasons why I love the tattoo industry is because it will recognise skill over gender. [However,] one disadvantage of being a woman in this industry is that women are often objectified, and their abilities are overlooked. [For example,] when I started, some people told me that I was only attracting customers because I was a girl and was showing skin in the pictures I posted [on Instagram].
[What I’ve observed though] is that people will get tattooed [by someone who can] create good tattoos. And I soon realised that my worth is only determined by my abilities, not my gender or appearance, so I keep on honing my skills. But I also hope that everyone understands that whether you’re a man or a woman, if you work hard enough, you can achieve anything you want. So I focused on my skills, and wasn’t worried about people labelling me.