Why the New Tattoo‑Innovation Craze Is Turning Heads in Singapore
People rarely think about becoming a tattoo artist in Asia—the craft is freakishly complex and still carries a splash of stigma in our usually conservative society. Yet if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to etch a permanent design onto skin, a brand‑new art studio in Singapore is giving folks a taste of the real thing—without the risk of a permanent mark.
Meet State of Shiok, The One‐Stop Studio
Opened in November, State of Shiok is Singapore’s sole destination where the public can dabble in pseudo tattooing on faux flesh.
The vibe? Think “slightly risky, totally fun” with a soothing backdrop of fresh, creative energy.
From Brooklyn to Southeast Asia
Jerome Ang, the studio’s co‑founder (23), credits his inspiration to a trip to Forever Ink Bar in Brooklyn, NY. There, patrons wielded real tattoo machines to ink on melons—yes, fruit—while sipping cocktails. “I thought, what if we brought that out and made it accessible back home?” Jerome says.
How It Works
- Participants get a hand‑held tattoo machine (with the same needle components as in real studios).
- Instead of skin, you’re working on high‑quality synthetic skin that looks and behaves like a living surface.
- The studio offers pre‑designed templates and custom options, so you can unleash your inner artist or try something safe.
- All the ink you use is specifically formulated for these sessions—no allergens, just vibrant pigment.
Why It’s More Than Just a Trend
Beyond the novelty, State of Shiok demonstrates how tattoo culture can evolve to be inclusive and safe. It gives designers, hobbyists, or people simply curious a chance to play with the medium without committing to permanent skin variations.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re a dare‑devil looking for a splash of ink or a cautious creative wanting to explore the craft, the studio’s playful, hands‑on approach is a new rite of passage in Singapore’s creative scene.
So if you’ve been itching to apply your own “art” without the after‑effect—just remember to bring your boldest imagination.
From Pseudo‑Ink to the Real Deal: How Singapore Is Re‑imagining Tattoos
Jerome isn’t just selling a quick tattoo experience; he’s on a mission to flip the script on how people see ink. “The younger crowd is getting on board faster,” he says, “but the older gen still pictures anyone with a tattoo as a gangster or someone off the rails.”
Turning Tattooing into a Canvas
- Think of it like an art jam session, but with a tattoo machine instead of a paintbrush.
- You get to wield the needle, play your own design, and leave a story on the skin.
- It’s the ultimate “try before you buy” ritual – no lifelong commitments, just pure creative expression.
The Real Tattooist’s Journey (AKA What Jerome Won’t Let You Truly Know)
- Apprenticeship: Aspiring artists punch through roughly three years of grind, often unpaid, before they can roll their needle onto a human canvas.
- It’s a Service: Uploading ink isn’t just art; it’s a permanent, lifelong conversation between the artist and the wearer.
- Cleanliness Matters: The professional world is laser‑focused on hygiene – needles, skin, and blood demand meticulous care.
- Reality Check: That’s the heavy side of the craft.
Pseudo‑Tattooing: A Free‑Flowing Experience
- No permanent consequences – you can remove the design if you wish.
- Everything’s laid back, with fewer rules, and it’s all about experimenting.
- The workshop is just the tip of the iceberg if you’re curious about what real tattoo artistry really entails.
So next time you bump into a stylish tattoo bar, remember: it might just be the start of a new storytelling medium that’s as playful as it is profound. And who knows—maybe that pseudo‑ink session will inspire you to chase the real tattoo dream too.
Trying to be a tattoo artist (but failing)
Ready to Pick a Needle? Tattoo‑Sim Fun Awaits
Imagine holding a tattoo gun that looks just as real as the real thing but without the commitment. That’s the chance you’ll get in this hands‑on “pseudo‑tattoo” workshop.
What’s on the Guest List?
- Price: $68 per person for a three‑hour dive into ink.
- All‑in‑cluded kit: The studio hands you the ink, gloves, faux skin, and the actual tattoo gun – no surprises, just a ready‑to‑go package.
- Time slots: Book between 12 pm and 9 pm – walk‑ins are a no‑no.
- Capacity: Only 2‑4 guests crunch in a single table per session. Spoiler: it keeps the vibe cozy and the crowds small.
- Safety first: Social distancing is enforced because of Covid‑19 guidelines.
How to Bring Your Own Art
Before you show up, simply send the stencil design you love. The studio will prep it the day you arrive so everything’s ready for you. If you’re an ambitious doodler, you can spin your own masterpiece directly onto the faux skin – the choice is yours.
Get Ready, Folks!
So exciting that folks can hardly keep their nerves in check. Grab a slot, decide on a design, and get set to see your creativity come alive—only half the risk, 100% the fun.
My First Tattoo Adventure
Before I even touched the machine, the instructor gave me a crash‑course on how to play with the tattoo gun. I learned that a stray needle could leave a permanent scar—so my natural tendency for clumsiness had me gasping in dread.
The Practice Session
I was handed a scrap of faux skin to warm up before moving on to the real thing. Fun fact: the stencil is laid down like a real tattoo, but while real skin dries almost instantly, the fake skin takes a good half hour to set.
Materials & Realism
- Expectation: pigskin.
- Reality: silicone—sustainable, industry‑standard, and impossible to fake.
- Outcome: My experience was as close to a professional workshop as I could get.
Sketching With a Gun
Coming from art class, I hoped it would be like sketching—just with a tattoo gun instead of a pencil. Spoiler: it was far from a smooth draw.
- Friction: The gun didn’t glide cleanly on silicone, especially when I tilted it wrong.
- Depth & Angle: Instruction said “no deep insertion, 45° angle,” but my first attempts were a mess of wild, jagged lines.
- Redo: I had to rewind the same lines over and over until they looked decent.
- Ink Overflow: Too much ink turned into shiny, blood‑clot‑like bumps—every wipe smudged more.
- Time: I thought outlining would take < 30 minutes, but I spent over two!
- Shading? By the time I finished the outline, the clock left me with barely any time left to shade.
Lesson Learned
It turns out that a tattoo gun is no gentle sketching tool. Next time I’ll sharpen my hand, practice patience, and maybe invest in a better cushion to avoid the “unsightly blood clots.” But hey, at least I gained a good laugh and a new, rough‑but‑realistic art skill!
My Tattoo Studio Adventure: A Wild Ride!
Honestly, I can’t pretend that my first tattoo session was all smooth sailing. The machine was a beast, but when I finally grilled that faux skin, I felt like an aesthetic ninja— and oddly, it was a real mood‑lifter.
What I Learned
- • Artists aren’t just ink‑wizards; they’re pain‑tolerant, surgical‑precision masters.
- • Human skin is architecturally superior to silicone—no amount of practice can replicate that natural canvas.
- • If I were stepping into their shoes, the day would be brutal.
Keeping these truths in mind, I’m already feeling the itch to hit the studio again. There’s still a lot to polish, and I’m ready to get my hands dirty—no, I mean more healed—on real skin.
Welcome to Tattoos Art & Design Arts!
Location: 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #03‑69, Singapore 168976
Hours
Open every day from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm—so you can get inked after lunch or before your evening plans.
Contact
- Email: [email protected] (Reply speed: faster than a needle on a cape)
- Phone: (placeholder) – just kidding, we’re all online now!
Whether you’re looking for a fresh tattoo or a touch of design brilliance, drop in or dust your inbox. We’re ready to turn your canvas into a masterpiece—no judgment, just art.
