YOON ZIHO
NAME :
Yoon Ziho.
OCCUPATION :
Tattoo Artist.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN :
Seoul, Korea.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB :
Freedom, creation, and love.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR TATTOO DESIGNS :
My cats and electronic dance music.
DO YOU HAVE CATS :
Yes, I have two cats, Eddie and Danji. Sometimes you can see them on my Instagram! Many of my customers also have more than one cat, which I think makes my designs resonate with them even more.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST ARTISTIC MOMENT :
I feel happiest when I create something I love, and many people watch my work and videos, giving me attention and love. As an artist, I feel proud every day to create these designs.
WHICH DESIGNS DID YOU ENJOY CREATING THE MOST :
I love all of the designs called TrippyCat, especially the ones with psychedelic elements. It’s most interesting when people interpret what I see and feel in their own way.
WHICH HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING TO CREATE :
Design itself. None of it is easy, but because of my perfectionism, choosing and finalizing a design is always difficult.
YOU CREATE ARTWORKS AND PAINTINGS ALSO, ARE THERE ANY YOU WOULD NEVER SELL :
Yes. I also create acrylic art in addition to tattoos. Those are only for exhibitions, never for sale. And I will never take commissions (outsourced designs) in my lifetime.
ARE THERE DAYS YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO TO THE STUDIO :
Never. I wouldn’t even skip it for Christmas!
WHEN DID YOU REALISE YOU WANTED TO BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST :
I have been drawing for 13 years. In 2019, I happened to learn tattooing, and it became the biggest turning point in my life. I fell in love with it immediately.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE TATTOO ARTIST :
My idol is the late artist Louis Wain. When I see his paintings, it feels like he sees the world through the same lens as me. It gives me a sense of realization. As for tattooists, I admire the Korean artist Pittakkm, whose intense visual art makes my heart race.
IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH ANY ARTIST ALIVE OR DEAD WHO WOULD IT BE :
Louis Wain.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON AI AND ART :
At first, AI content made me uncomfortable. But now it’s clear AI gives a lot of inspiration to artists. I hope in the future AI tools can harmoniously blend into artistic creation, just like ChatGPT is already doing. I also believe offline tattoo culture conventions, face-to-face meetings, seminars are becoming more valuable. I hope technology will also push the art market forward.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY :
I have many mental and physical traumas. Negative memories tend to last longer than positive ones. I’ve been receiving long-term treatment, but I’ve overcome many hardships through forgiveness and realization.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A CHILD :
I was rebellious and obsessive. I loved dinosaurs and insects, and I often did unusual things… i like eating insects, haha.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION :
My white Jeep Wrangler.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE :
Jim Carrey. He’s witty and I’d love someone like him to play me.
CHOOSE A SUPERPOWER :
I’d want to shoot lasers from my eyes so I could appear in movies, meet Jim Carrey, and become famous, haha.
WHAT IS YOUR WORST TRAIT :
Obsessive thoughts and strong attachments. When I can’t control them, I become very hard on myself.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
Something every tattooist shares, When the tattoo isn’t perfect.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT :
Being born and still alive. Everything I’ve achieved so far is just 1%.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
Not podcasts, but I listen to music funkcore EDM, psychedelic, and house techno.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE :
I don’t know if it’s guilt, but sometimes I wrestle with my cats and tease them by touching their bellies, even though I know they don’t really like it, haha.
YOUR MUSIC CHOICE :
Funkcore EDM, psychedelic music, and house techno.
WHATS IS THE BEST THING YOU HAVE EVER STOLEN :
As a kid, I stole candy from a store. I later realized my mom paid for it, so that was the last thing I ever stole. In a non-material sense, I “steal” my cats’ behaviors to use in my designs. Nature is the best source to steal from.
YOU HEAD TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION WHO WOULD YOU TAKE ALONG FOR THE RIDE :
Can I bring my cats? 😉
WHATS DOES YOUR PERFECT DAY LOOK LIKE :
Finishing a perfect tattoo project.
IF YOU COULD BE FRIENDS WITH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE :
When I was six, I was often alone. I’d like to meet my younger self’s imaginary friend, because children at that age have such a special creative energy.
YOUR TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
New York Times, Tattoo Life, Tattoo Mag, Vogue and Maxim Korea.
WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ :
How to Live by Kazuo Inamori.
WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU GAVE SOMEONE :
Yesterday I gave a birthday cake to a colleague. I love giving creative gifts.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
My own insecurities.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
The American Dream.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
North Korea.
WHATS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST :
To live in America.
DO YOU ENJOY BEING INTERVIEWED :
Yes, I really enjoy expressing myself.
WHAT’S THE CLOSEST YOU HAVE COME TO DEATH :
Once, when I was wandering drunk and slept on the street , I almost died.
IF YOU OWNED A BOAT WHAT YOU CALL IT :
“If You Trippy.”
YOUR MESSAGE :
Stop overthinking, just do it.
