Simple Lim , a true son of Malaysia, ethnic Chinese, accepted his early year education from a Chinese independent high school and brought up with a dream to live life to the fullest and to serve the community that he resides. He chose to study fine art and design foundation studies and paid great attention particularly to tattoo craftsmanship while in college days. And today, the acquired skill and useful techniques have sharpen and transformed into sustainable economic source for his current business. During the practicing years as young apprentice and together with his fellow peers, they used to produce tattoo art images from cyber media or any printed references provided by customers and many time, those designs have been reproduced for other interested customers.
After years of practicing, he came to a crossroad to realize that tattoo works should be dignified and treated artistically instead of mass production or gross imitation. That was the market differentiation from the regulars that he determined to set for his business.
With that enlightenment, he has charted his career bearing and eventually has his first “Simple Tattoo Series” masterpiece by transforming a traditional culture totem of Borneo tattoo that boosted his confidence as a result of public acceptance and success. He has since then never to have look back .
BIO
The ever changing of the cyber space and satellite-age technologies in 21st century have provided a conducive and liberated platform for the tattoo industry development comparing to those days when tattoo works were grossly classified as notoriety and taboo subject matter.
Today, owing to the public awareness and acceptance, the tattoo business has reinventeditself into a new light with the amalgamation of beauty and free art, and hence the formation of the era of exquisite tattoo crossover and many enthusiasts embark into this alternative business venture locally and internationally.
As tattoo is gaining more acceptance, the industry is gaining more momentum, the public interest and curiosity pushes forward for greater demand. However, the aspiration for fine body art has hit the state of lackluster due to over commercialization when businesses primary concern has been limited to number of customers they could get whereas quality works, originality and the true passion for fine art are secondary.
The Advantages Of Commercialized Tattoo
It is very convenient to get your body pierced and inked as it is so fashionable to have one. This in turn helps in publicity for the business due to many free walking advertisements and good exposure to tattoo culture.
It creates job opportunities that make the economies go round and technical skills exchange among traders during international conventions.
The artworks are easily accessible and identifiable due to imprint on variety of merchandise in the market ie, daily supplies, souvenir items, clothing line, hand phones, car accessories and etc.
The Disadvantages Of Commercialized Tattoo
With a view of maximizing profit, some merchants mass produced supplies in order to lower their production cost which cause quality impairment to equipment produced, consumable needles, colors and etc that affect precision works. As a result, it is not only creating dissatisfaction from customers for bad tattoo job but a waste of resources that attracts negative goodwill to the business.
There are irresponsible tattoo businesses, hiring inexperienced and untrained tattoo artists,engaging tattoo design works and conforming to mediocre as fineworks to customers. It is as though mass production of designs with minimal originality (or none) are not only dull but an incursion of bad taste and accessory grade reproduction. The bad design henceforth not only will impact the purchasing decision of newcomers to this realm but indirectly revive the negative memories of bad tattoo in association to notorious ones.
Commercialized tattoo has conceived a shopping-like perception to customers nowadays and many have failed to distinguish their conscious requirement when terrific reference media has been paraded and placed before them. The usual first few questions when a customer steps in to the tattoo parlor lingers upon the price and references request, and they often confused with good quality artwork with mediocre as a result of commercial brainwashing over time.
The commercialization kills creativity and originality as designs can be simply ‘ copy & paste’ with reference to printed media.
In simplest word, commercialization is bad for Tattoo.In ancient times, tribal and ethnic groups pricked tattoos on their bodies and faces for various reasons.
1. Symbol of social status and rights.
2. Appreciation of meritorious persons and warriors
3. Religious belief in God and devotion.
4. Lifting of ethnic fighting spirit and morale determination
5. Projection of loyalty and commitment to organization.
6. Cultural beliefs and customs.
7. Punishment to offenders or prisoners.
8. Lifestyle portrayal of personal bravura and etc.
Those above are the manifestation of social and cultural heritage, mankind nobility and respect for survival values and its recital. In short, the greatness of tattoo is lost in the pursuit of profit. The embodiment of value and sustainability of the legacy of tattoo are not the sole responsibility of merchants and tattoo artists but also customers and their perception towards:
1. Individual lifestyle and attitude.
2. Social and cultural understanding of historical knowledge
3. Personal values.
4. Individual purchasing significance and expectations.
5. Social responsibility performance, etc.
