Over the past few years, the Singaporean tattoo scene has blossomed into an eclectic space that provides fertile ground for tattoo artists to experiment with styles and develop their own. As a result, ink enthusiasts of all stripes are spoilt for choice with a bevy of styles to consider, from hyperrealism, neotraditional with a twist, to even stick-and poke for those looking for an analogue tattooing experience. In the spirit of the creative energy emitting from the scene, Vogue Singapore has curated a selection of the best tattoo artists the local scene has to offer. Before booking your appointment, it’s important to remember that fostering a good relationship with your artist is crucial to ensure that both parties have a smooth experience, so its best practice to keep in mind two things. First and foremost, be punctual. Because tattooing is a time-consuming process, especially for large designs, tardiness can not only delay your appointment (and incur extra charges), but also others booked in advance. Ensure you arrive on time to effectively allocate enough time for the artist to work on your piece.
Second, always read the tattoo artist’s terms beforehand to ensure their modus operandi is compatible with yours. Some send drafts in advance; others prefer to discuss your design during your appointment. However, if you have any questions or concerns not covered by their terms, don’t hesitate to ask your artist questions—they have the expertise to help guide you to a design you will be satisfied with. Presented below is our curation of artists for your consideration.
1. Yong (@yongtattooist)
A single glance at his futuristic-looking feed show that his works are no ordinary portraits. Yong infuses his micro-realistic tattoos with sharp geometric motifs for sci-fi influenced ink. Not only do his works show his creative approach to the format, they also show his mastery in both and bringing out the best of both worlds to create something unique.
Stay Sharp Mutha Puaka, 20 Haji Lane, Singapore 189213
2. Pigeon (@pigeonpokes_)
Considering a stick-and-poke experience with a whimsical aesthetic? Pigeon’s speciality is graphic hand-poked tattoos of all things adorable guaranteed to melt your heart—think kittens, candies and even a few meme-inspired ones. Her mastery over the needle is evident in her line control and strategic use of colour that make her tattoos pop. Unique amongst tattoo artists, she also offers a ‘build-a-cat-tatt’ guide for cat lovers looking to customise their feline ink Build-A-Bear style.
8 Volts Tattoo, Orchard Plaza #03-12, Singapore 238841. Tel: 6737 7948
3. Ael (@invisblea)
It’s easy to understand why Ael is one of Singapore’s most popular tattoo artists—his hyperealistic portraits showcase his well-honed eye for detail and mastery over his shading technique. That doesn’t mean he isn’t versatile, however. He’s also capable of minimalist black-and-white designs and abstract marker-style pieces that show off the same artistry he demonstrates in his usual pieces.
Imagine Tattoo Studio, 3B Trengganu St, Singapore 058457. Tel: 9107 9181
4. Sze (@sick_and_poke)
Another stick-and-poke artist, Sze’s style can be described as elegantly edgy. Her portfolio features everything from bold black-and-white illustrations to intricate linework of all sorts of magical subject matter. Prefer a simpler affair instead, or looking for a refined approach to text tattoos? Sze’s crisp lines also make for beautifully clean pattern and text tattoos.
Wild Paw Tattoo, 30A Bali Lane, Singapore 18986.
5. Julian (@theboldfox)
Julian’s style of soft, semi-realistic shading and razor-sharp lines make his botanical tattoos look like they’ve been lifted out of a 19th-century nature encyclopaedia. The strong vintage influences in his style also translate well to the occasional neotraditional piece in his portfolio—perfect for both traditionalists and new-school tattoo mavens.
Wild Paw Tattoo, 30A Bali Lane, Singapore 18986.
6. Eple (@e.ple_tattoo)
Tiny but mighty is the mentality behind the Korean-born artist’s watercolour-style animal tattoos. What makes Eple’s skill remarkable is the immense amount of detail she injects into a minuet space, which is difficult to execute, even for seasoned artists. She predominantly specialises in pet portraits, but her colouful, yet elegant style lends well to various subject matter, such as the miniature recreation of Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ pictured above.
Hansan Studio, 89B Amoy St, Singapore 069908.
