Wednesday February 1, 2006
FT Day tattoo, anyone?
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ
jaya@thestar.com.my
Photos by ONG SOON HIN and DARRAN TAN
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Simon injecting ink underneath his customer’s skin to ensure its lasting effect. |
The 32-year-old from Borneo Ink in Desa Sri Hartamas seemed like a laid back chap when he was off duty. But once work began, Simon showed comprehensive eye for precision while paying equal importance to hygiene.
He put on a pair of gloves and new needles were used for each customer. “Needles are cheap but we spend a long time making it and it is hard to make too.
“However, it is important to use new needles for each customer for both hygiene purposes and for getting a sharp design.
“Besides tattoos are for life. You want to get it done right,” said Simon who makes his own needles.
He said hygiene was very important in tattoo making as a customer can be exposed to Hepatitis A, B and C without it. For this reason, his tattoo parlour is well equipped with sterilizers.
Simon also learns more about hygiene from the Internet.
A few years ago, he did a course on hygiene and cleanliness in America while attending the Massachusetts Tattoo Convention. With the certificate, Simon is able to expand his expertise in America where he goes occasionally for jobs.
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Simon’s FT Day tattoo design depicting the Petronas Twin Towers entwined with the Federal Territory flag. |
Simon said customers normally chose from the available designs before individualising it to suit personal preferences.
Otherwise, designs are also picked from the Internet before it is given a twist. Free touch-up services along with tips on tattoo care are also offered to customers.
For the Federal Territory, Simon has created a special tattoo design as a person who regards tattoo as an intricate art form.
The patriotic design projects Suria KLCC twin towers with the Federal Territory flag surrounding it. A crescent and star sits in between the two towers.
“When you mention Suria KLCC, people around the world recognise it with Kuala Lumpur. You can’t go wrong with it,” said Simon who aimed to create a clean image of the art form in this country.
“Tattoo is often not considered as a respectable thing in this country. “But it is just a form of drawing. Only difference is it’s done under a person’s skin,” said Simon.
Simon and siblings Eddie and Lina run Borneo Ink. Piercing services are also available at the parlour.
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