“I wanted people to experience the beautiful transformative power of a tattoo.”
Meet Angel Zimik – Delhi’s famous Devil’z Tattooz’ emerging tattoo artist from Manipur, Ukhrul. With every new tattoo an idea out of the box, Angel is well-known for her geometric designs and fusion aesthetics. Her journey began two years ago, but she’s already seen making wonders in the industry – thanks to her thirst for learning, meticulous detailing, and inspiring designs. Taking the tattoo art form a notch up, here’s Angel in colloquy with PEAKLIFE…
I started my tattooing career in April 2018 and now I am a resident artist at Devil’z Tattooz Studios. Looking back to how I started, unlike many other artists, I have no background in art. What initially got me into this was when I first got myself a tattoo. I felt something very new in my life and it was fascinating to me that how something so personal can be etched forever as a beautiful piece of art. I wanted people to experience the beautiful transformative power of a tattoo. Since then, I wanted to become a tattoo artist so I decided to pursue my art class in the year 2017 for 6 months; after which I took up my apprenticeship in Devil’z Tattoo for another 4 months and now I am here!
I love the industry because hard work always pays off, and art is the real foundation. I can’t say I have too much familiarity with the industry yet, as I’ve only been in the industry for 2 years with lots of pandemic lockdown happening, but from the little I’ve gone through, I’ve found that it takes a lot of faith. Tattoo industry is still growing here in India and right now it’s like a small family. Everyone knows each other and I love that a lot. You will never be alone in the tattoo industry, wherever in the world you go, whoever you work with. I am very fortunate and lucky to say that my parents are very supportive too in this journey. It’s such an honour to work amongst so many talented artists at Devil’z Tattooz.
2.) Every tattoo requires umpteen attention and detail. Could you take us through your artistic process you follow for each client?
I specialize in the type of style I do! Some would describe my work as minimalist, or geometric, but it is more than just that. My design blends around the pattern with florae and fauna, spirituality, mysticism, and with a character of futuristic touch and many more elements. Whilst most of my tattoos often contain all those elements, I would say my designs are something we cannot categorize in one or two standard tattoo styles.
I always recommend in person consultation unless you are flying in from other countries or states. I prefer to sit together with my clients. At consultations I love to just browse through references together, talk about the idea, and just get a better picture of what they want. The most important thing is to just sit down with the client and have an honest, candid conversation. Create an open, communicative environment so that the project becomes a collaboration rather than a commission.
What makes my work different from others is how I play around with varieties of elements putting them all together as one piece of art. And every element I use has a meaning and connection to my client. The more elements, the more meaningful and more connections. Who doesn’t want a meaningful aesthetic tattoo?
3.) How do you keep your creativity or innovation brewing?
I don’t know, really. I don’t particularly do anything but one thing I know is that I am a dreamer, over-thinker, and “all in“ kind of a person. So when I am working on a particular project, all I do is a dream and plan about it, think lots about it, and give my “ALL IN” to whatever I am working on be designing, be in relationships, be in friendship, etc. I think and design best went I am alone in my room. I always visualise the design before I actually start designing it. If I want something I go for it full-heartedly, even if it did start out as a dream.
4.) What is your dream goal or vision as a tattoo artist in the industry?
Tattoo industry recently started growing in India, and it’s an exciting time to be part of this. I have not thought about such a goal or vision as such but there are two things that I do want to bring a focus on. Once upon a time, tattoo industry was a male dominated industry. But not anymore, I don’t think there is any gender difference in being a tattooist. I want to see more female tattoo artists in the industry. There are many incredible and talented women who are already tattooing now and it’s so inspiring and motivating but I can count them on my fingers and it is not enough.
Social attitudes towards the visibly tattooed person in the workplace should change too – I do not want people to hide their tattoos when they go in for an interview from the fear of rejection because of the art piece they decided to get on their skin and not hang on the wall? This should change and should change soon. In fact, they should hire us more because a highly tattooed body demonstrates stability, dedication, commitment, patience, bravery, and the ability to handle discomfort and I can go on and on. And these are the core qualities you look for in every single job. I do not know how yet, but in future, if things can be changed by an intervention of an artist, I am definitely up for it.
5.) How are you sailing through the pandemic? Any challenges that are tough to dismantle this time around?
A lot of businesses have been forced to close to limit the spread of the coronavirus, including tattoo shops. The tattoo industry has been intensely and doubly affected because we work with constant physical contact. Even when shops do reopen, I assume we won’t be able to tattoo at the same rate that we did before, with multiple people a day. Tattooers who were just starting their careers and lack established clientele are finding themselves especially hard hit by the pandemic.
At the end of the day, it’s all up to you how to keep yourself busy, I watch movies, made a lot of phone calls; sketching and designing is a good way of spending your time. Those who don’t work out can do some dancing in your room. I make cookies and sushi when I am bored and these days I am learning how to make tasty chai with ginger!
6.) Your success mantra?
Believe in yourself. And trust your crazy ideas.
7.) What is a fun fact about your job not a lot of people know?
“Choose a job you love, and you would never have to work a day in your life.” said Confucious.
This is basically it. I can 100% bet and tell you that 99% of the tattoo artists in the world are happy because we chose to be tattoo artists. I personally feel like I am not working when I go to a studio to tattoo. It’s more like I went to my friend’s place and do what we love, it’s more like a hobby. A cool environment with music and no restriction on your outfit – you can be yourself and still earn a lot.
One of the coolest fun fact of being a tattoo artist is art is global and so is being a tattoo artist. You can travel and do a guest spot in different countries studio, be anywhere in the world and you can still do you work with the same machine and needle. Our art travels around the world, and do you know how many people will remember the tattoo artist? Every client of mine will remember me every time they see the tattoo! Isn’t that absolutely cool to think about?
8.) Lastly, what is your advice for aspiring tattoo artists today?
I myself am still learning every day. But as I mentioned earlier, I love this industry because hard work always pays off. I have been in this industry for only 2 years with lockdown here and there, but from the little I’ve gone through, with real love and passion for the art of tattooing, you will go places in this industry. So never give up. All you got to do is believe in yourself and work hard, try again and again, and focus on yourself till the focus is on you.
