Going under the tattoo needle feels like taking a long inhale. And when it’s over and look at yourself in front of the mirror, you feel as if you’re finally the you that you’re supposed to be. Arte Tattoo Studio wants you to relish the moment and let it change the way people perceive the art of tattoos.

In Poblacion, Makati, there lies the tattoo studio that has built a reputation, not just for their artists’ technical mastery in minimalist to sprawling designs, but as a tasteful space for meditation.

I met with Arte Tattoo founder and owner Kel Laquin, who’s also an “inkvestor” with his name attached to several other shops around Poblacion and Kapitolyo, Pasig. 

Arte Tattoo is his first tattoo studio with co-founder Charles Arteta, who chimed in during our conversation. In the blue-walled studio where jazz music played, Laquin and Arteta helped me dissect the big, previously unnamed feelings washing over me when I got a tattoo. I also got a surprise tattoo designed by my workmate while I was there, but you’ll have to keep an eye out for that story. 

Arte Tattoo’s mantra is that tattoos are a form of healing meditation. But how does that translate to your tattooing process? 

Laquin: Ang naiisip ng mga tao when it comes to tattoos are stories, memories, [artistic] expression, or celebrations. Some clients go here to celebrate their birthday, or grumaduate sila kaya pwede na sila magpa-tattoo, or may first job na sila. Pwede namang kabaligtaran. Nagpunta sila dito kasi brokenhearted sila.

Tattoo is a form of healing meditation [because] during the process para kang nag-me-meditate. Nakalimutan mo ’yung mga problema mo kasi masakit [magpatattoo] or kinakabahan ka [dahil] baka may mali [sa design].

And once na natapos ’yung sakit na ’yun, feeling mo ikaw na ’yung new version mo. Nakakatulong siya para malagpasan mo ’yung isang phase or isang challenge. ‘Iba na ako, ready na ako to face ’yung bagong challenges.’ Parang ’yun ’yung way namin para makapag-make ng positive impact sa mga clients.

Is it also meditative on the side of the tattoo artist?

Laquin: Yes. Actually, all kinds of art parang meditation siya. Naka-focus tayo sa pag-produce ng art at maibigay ’yung message.

Si Arte Tattoo, internally, ang priority namin is to help tattoo artists and their families. For some tattoo artists, parang ito ’yung escape and avenue nila. Di naman sa may tinatakasan sila, pero ito ’yung place na ginagawa nila ’yung gusto nila. Art ’yan and naka-focus ka lang sa pagproduce ng magandang result. 

What does tattoo craftsmanship mean to you and how is it different from other visual or wearable art forms?

Arteta: Isang difference niya ay ’yung exchange of energies, kasi ’yung tattooing is a passing of energies. As artists, mine-make sure namin na we’re in a good mood kapag gagawa kami ng tattoo. Ayaw naming makapasa ng bad energy sa mga client. 

Laquin: Hindi natin maiiwasan ’yung bad energies na natatanggap nung artist and the other way around. It’s more on [setting good] intentions. 

What are your most memorable inking experiences?

Laquin: More than 12 or 13 years ago, ang tingin pa sa mga may tattoos ay criminals. May discrimination and di pa widely accepted before. As a tattoo collector, ’yung mga first tattoos ko [ang most memorable] kasi ’yun ’yung nagmulat sa akin na maganda at acceptable naman ang tattoos. Pwede naman talaga lahat ng tao magpa-tattoo.

Any anecdotes or stories from memorable clients that you can share?

Laquin: Here’s a very inspiring story from our old location sa Multinational Village, Parañaque. May lumapit kay Charles na client na may self-harm scars for a floral design cover up. Every time na nakikita niya ’yung scars, na-a-anchor niya ’yung feelings from before and naalala niya ’yung dati niyang problema. Gusto niyang mawala ’yung memory na ’yun.

After nung session, naging malaki ’yung help ng tattoo sa kanya mentally and emotionally. Umabot sa point na kinontact din kami ng parents niya and nalaman namin na she’s getting better.

And alam mo naman kapag nagkaroon ka ng first tattoo tapos may na-feel ka na iba. Ang nangyari, bumabalik siya every Dutdutan para magpatattoo and minsan kasama ’yung parents niya.

The other story naman dito nangyari sa Poblacion. Merong pina-tattoo na chemical compound structure ’yung client. Maliit lang ’yung tattoo, minimalist. Walang idea ’yung mga tattoo artists present kung ano ’yung meaning ng chemical structure na ’yun.

Then, the client said [that they chose it because] ’yung son niya ay mayroong [maple syrup urine disease]. Sabi ng doctor, three months na lang ’yung itatagal ng son niya. Dumiretso siya dito after i-drop off ’yung son niya, coming from a checkup. Di na makapag-tattoo ’yung artist after niya tanungin ’yung meaning, [iniisip niya kung] ano ’yung na-fi-feel ng client.

Noong natapos na ’yung tattoo, kinausap ni Charles ’yung client and sinabi niya na wag nang bayaran. Ito na lang ’yung contribution namin to help. Bumalik ’yung client na ’yun, nag-thank you, tapos hinug niya ’yung artist and si Charles. Nagkaroon kami ng relationship with them. Nag-u-update siya sa nangyayari sa anak niya and kinakamusta rin namin.

Mga ganung stories ang hindi namin nakakalimutan and ang dami pang sumunod. ’Yun ’yung isa sa mga fuel kung bakit namin tinutuloy ito despite the challenges. 

How has that tattoo industry progressed over the years?

Arteta: Maingay and malalaki ’yung mga tattoo machines before. Ngayon kasi maliliit and wireless na. Hindi na siya intimidating and mas madali for the artists to use.

Dati rin ’yung ginagamit na tattoo ink is ink ng ballpen. Yung mga old school na tattoos na nagiging green over time, ’yun ’yung [ginamitan ng] ink na hindi pa made for the skin. Ngayon, may nag-e-exist na vegan inks na walang animal content. So ’yung healing ng tattoo ay mas mabilis. Sa ibang bansa, mayroon nang [Ephemeral] tattoos na [nagfa-fade in one year.]

Laquin: Another thing is ’yung laser. Before kasi kapag nag-re-remove ng tattoo ay parang pinapaso or sinusugatan, tinatanggal ’yung skin. Ngayon, they use the same equipment na ginagamit sa derma. Wala nang forever. 

Maybe 3 to 10 years from now, pwedeng i-take over ng AI ang tattoo industry. Kung magbibigay ako ng advice sa mga tattoo artists namin, take advantage of AI. Pag-aralan ’yung [pag-utilize dito] sa paco-collaborate sa design with your client and posting content like videos or write-ups. Tayo parin naman mag-o-operate and mag-co-correct ’nun. 

Any tips for first timers and people who want to be respectful tattoo clients?

Laquin: Wag ka magpapaalam. [Laughs]

Arteta: ’Yung kaba, masayang part rin siya sa journey mo to get your first tattoo. Pero ’yung deciding factor para mag-push through ka ay kailangan magkaroon ka rin ng purpose kung bakit mo gusto yung tattoo na ‘yun. Gaano siya ka-importante sayo? Imaginin mo ’yung sarili mo after nung tattoo. Ano ’yung gusto mong ma-feel? Gusto mo bang ma-empower? Maging better version of yourself? ’Yung tattoo itself, parang bonus na lang siya. 

You can visit Arte Tattoo in Poblacion, Makati. They accept bookings and walk-ins for tattoo and piercings appointments every day from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. And keep an eye out for their promos like their July 3-in-1 promo.

 

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Photos by Samantha Ong and Mikey Yabut

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