Introducing Tai Slabbert of Levitation Tattoo Studio as our featured Tattoo Artist. We delve into the life of Tai and his tattoo career in our interview below.
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Full Name: Tai Slabbert
Shop: Levitation Tattoo Studio
Years Tattooing: 4
Tattoo Style: Dark Realism
Hourly rate: R1000 / R3000 Half Day – R6000 Full Day
Tell us your story of becoming a full-time Tattoo Artist?
I have an appreciation for a variety of art styles and enjoy a space where I can interoperate and apply a unique touch and flare to a base or idea that a client may have in mind. My unique depiction and interoperation is influenced by the 14 years of experience I have gained in the industry and trade.
I found interest in art and more specifically drawing from a very young age and quickly found inspiration and fascination in the ability to apply a designed piece of art to skin as a medium. Creating art on such a medium with meaning or significance to the individual or client is fulfilling and satisfying as this enables the individual a means of self-expression and display of their uniqueness. My goal is to provide my client with a safe space for self-expression as well as create fine and beautiful art works that will also allow myself to expand on the diversity and skill that I currently hold in the industry.
Furthermore, I have a strong fascination for texture and fine work and enjoy the freedom to design and create an art piece where these techniques can be applied and used to create a complete art piece.
I draw inspiration from various art forms and artists, whether it be in music and fine art as well as visual art. The most influential artists that have moulded and shaped my interests and technique are artists such as Arlo DiCristina, Sewp, Anka Lavtiv, Anrijs Straume, Eliot Kohek and Branda Chiesa.
What first attracted you to the trade?
Art has always been my greatest passion and a form of expression that I have appreciated from a very young age. I find great satisfaction in making beautiful and authentic pieces of art that align with my clients needs and expectations for their own self-expression and uniqueness.
What does a day in your life usually consist of?
Finding new and inspirational projects that I can apply my skills and unique interpretation to and designing a piece of art that my client is excited about.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you?
I am an enthusiastic and attentive keeper and breeder of exotic animals.
How do you like to make sure you keep progressing as an artist?
I draw inspiration from fellow artists and find interest in the methods and techniques used and applied by these artists.
What style of tattooing do you enjoy creating the most, and why?
My preferred style of tattooing is Dark Realism. I feel that this style is the ultimate and most authentic way to capture the beauty and realness of a piece, regardless of the design or project at hand.
Where do you see your tattoo career taking you?
I feel that I have already accomplished my goal of becoming a tattoo artist that is able to capture and interoperate a significant piece of art for a client to their expectation and meaningfulness. I see the next chapter in my career allowing me to progress further into a space of refining and perfecting the style of realism and only growing and improving on this.
If you could tattoo a famous person, who would it be and why?
Yolandi Visser. I find her image and style unique and feel she would be as enthusiastic as I am about my preferred style.
What advice would you give someone wanting to book their first tattoo?
Go big and trust your artist. Ensure to look at their portfolio and style to make sure you are most comfortable and that it’s the best fit for you.
For anyone wanting to book and appointment with you, what’s the next step?
Contact the studio for your consultation.
Levitation Tattoo Studio
Contact: 063 164 8842
Address: 51 Highcliff Way, Northcliff, Johannesburg
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Tattoos by Tai Slabbert
Photos by Alexander Wolf Photography.