It is an idea whose time has arrived. Three years back, Anil Menon was planning to set up a tattoo studio in Kochi, but had to drop it as tattooing was considered a taboo then. “Now that attitude is changing, and people have more tolerance in accepting individual desires. Tattoo should be a reflection of one’s personality,” begins Anil.
Being a staunch believer that everything happens for a reason, the challenges that came his way were not a reason for him to stop venturing into what he was convinced about. In fact, there is no land or new skill which Anil has not experienced, from being an IT professional for 13 years to now being professional tattoo artist, following unconventional paths. “I am a self-taught artist and I believe the right attitude towards learning something does not require formal education,” says Anil.
Art was in his genes, as he understood colours from his mother and drawing from his dad, it took him 25 years to go back to his roots and derive happiness from this passion. The first tattoo he did was on his domestic help, who approached him while he was preparing for his new adventure and was thrilled to see the result. “I must say it is more than a passion, especially when it concerns other people’s body and it is to be taken very seriously,” says Anil.
In 2011, a new concept was born out of him, called ‘Travel and Tattooing,’ where his travelling gave him the inspirations to his designs.
In 2011, a new concept was born out of him, called ‘Travel and Tattooing,’ where his travelling gave him the inspirations to his designs. His specialisation is in various styles like old school, tribal, lettering, spiritual, three dimension, portraits, watercolors, bio-mechanical, sacred geometry and abstract.
More than a tattoo artist, Anil is also into carpentry, healing and counselling. As he is setting up his studio in M.G Road, with art-filled four-walled studio, Anil says having a cozy and stylised studio does not necessarily provide the quality of work. “The uniqueness of my studio is that I have set it up without sub-contracting.
The concept is hand painted wall graffiti and use of upcycling or used material like car tyre for seating and bamboo for entrance cladding. All that I do is by being a medium to realise one’s vision and thereby doing my Karma,” concludes Anil.
