A tattoo artist is receiving backlash after social media users criticized his ‘tattoo original’ as the ‘worst they’ve ever encountered’.
Body art tends to fall into one of two categories – exceptionally good or remarkably bad, as many quickly discover.
While the tattooing process itself should generally be straightforward, involving sitting through the duration of the inking, some artists choose to get creative with their methods.
In the case of this tattoo artist, experimentation plays a significant role in his approach.
Rixard Tattoo embarked on his tattooing journey in 2012 when his roommate left behind a tattoo machine, prompting him to offer tattoos to neighbors.
In a 2020 interview with Inked, he revealed that he began experimenting with ‘tattoo performances’ four years prior, leading to several of his ‘tattoo originals’ gaining viral attention.
From using wine stains on a t-shirt, to tattooing someone’s Speedo line, or employing a Roomba to ink an ankle, he explained to the outlet that his performances often involve ‘situations of special difficulty, absurdity and previously unthinkable impediments’. His work is inspired by artists who create visually striking online content. However, his style is not universally appreciated.
In June, the artist shared a video on Instagram as part of his ‘Body Adornment Series’, which depicted him tattooing a woman’s arm in a public setting.
In the footage, he appears to have wrapped a cable around her arm, using it as a guide for his design.
His unconventional style faced criticism, with shocked social media users commenting on his approach.
One user described it as ‘beyond terrible art’, while another labeled it ‘the worst tattoo I’ve seen in my life’, expressing they ‘would’ve asked for a refund immediately’.
Another commenter stated: “I felt so uncomfortable watching this.”
Nonetheless, some people appreciated his vision.
One user remarked: “Why don’t people understand the level of aesthetic to your art? No one cares if it looks good or bad; it’s the idea behind it.”
Another commenter called it their ‘fav one yet’, and someone else declared: “Easily my new favorite piece of yours, textile looks so killer.”
In response to how people have reacted to his work, he told Inked that his performances are generally ‘well-received’, getting shared widely across both ironic, trashy tattoo pages and more serious tattoo platforms.
However, after the widespread response to a piece titled ‘Foot’, where he tattooed someone’s head using his foot, he began examining the ‘social media impact’ of content viewed as superficial, crude, macabre, or complex.
He stated: “I study the staging of tattoo-performances and unconventional actions that produce tattoos, in relation to contemporary art approaches and the tattoo world.”
Perhaps, understanding his work requires a particular appreciation for this unique art form.