Interview
Suhwan Park
Suhwan entered l’ensa a limoges in 2014. A year later he got in tattoo industry by being an apprentice. In 2016, he worked in the tattoo industry as a tattoo artist. He takes part in the Mexico tattoo convention/ oriental parts. He participated in @q_tattoos seminar in Seoul Korea. He collaborated with @say_touche (art. Interior brand from kr) in 2023. He had a cebu tattoo convention/ asian inspired parts in 2023. He featured in an August interview with @condenasttraveller (travel magazine over the world/tattoo special). He also had a collaboration and popup store with @vctr (clothes brand from kr).
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I attended university in France starting in 2013. In 2012, I began preparing to enter the national French art school. In 2014, I enrolled at l'école des Beaux-Arts de Limoges, which offered a major in ceramic arts and design. While attending the school, I learned about different aspects of the arts and design fields. However, I did not complete my major course and left the school in 2015 to pursue a career in tattooing. Even after entering in this tattoo industry, I continue to express my thoughts and perspective through drawings and painting. I want to get in more in art market.”
What inspires you?
“The influences diverge a bit between tattoo and illustration. Tattoos lean towards intricate Oriental elements, ceramics, pottery, and traditional Asian paintings. In illustration, there's a notable impact from Japanese artists, especially seen in traditional Ukiyo-e and portrait of beautiful women. It starts from the idea of what happens when things familiar to us in modern times or things that can only be done in modern times meet with classic and old ones.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I want to express our existing modern era in a classical ways, not necessarily implying that the expression itself has to be classic. I wish to capture the kind of classic beauty I feel when looking at Ukiyo-e or some traditional portrait, but manifested in a contemporary way with modern themes. What I've always pursued, even since when i was student , is an interest in how the same actions in the contemporary era can vary depending on the country and culture we find ourselves in. What we consider 'modern' today might become ‘traditional’ and ‘classic’ as time passes!"”
“I want to express our existing modern era in a classical ways, not necessarily implying that the expression itself has to be classic.”
How would you describe your work?
“I want to say my work is like modern 美人圖 (beautiful women) paintings. However, within that, I want to incorporate things that are uniquely understandable to us in this era and include elements that are close to our lives.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Mostly i inspired by lots of Japanese artists. But my most favorite artist is Ikenaga Yasunari. His way is so traditional and classic but he express women by modern way. This is my personal thinking.”
What is your creative process like?
“First, I sketch out ideas and gather them while ensuring a well-organized placement of numerous elements. Currently, I'm inclined towards digital art. However, for bringing digital drawings to life, I utilize Korean paper and offset printing. Offset printing, with its ink-spraying process, surprisingly imparts a feeling akin to actual painting. Currently transitioning to the stage of physically drawing, I plan to continue both methods in the future.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art possesses the power to influence both society and individuals through various forms, be it tattoos, visual art, or music etc. I see artists as representatives of the contemporary era, transcending the notions of right and wrong, and rather, showcasing and embodying the current times.”
Instagram: @swanissober
