C A N VA S
What got you into tattooing? What sparked
your interest in developing this craft?
About six years ago, I was looking into tattoos because I wanted to get
one myself. I was fascinated by this form of art. I have been painting and
drawing my entire life, but tattooing—drawing with a needle that leaves a
permanent mark—was completely different [to me]. Besides that, my life at
the time was screaming for change and a new beginning from working in
the retail industry for almost a decade.
I was talking so much about tattoos that my friends bought me a tattoo
machine on my 31st birthday. That kind of pushed me to just start doing
this. It was the beginning of an unbelievable journey.
Today, five years later, it’s like the biggest gift from the universe because I
feel that everything is finally in place. Ironically, I still don’t have a tattoo myself,
but I do enjoy the time and the freedom that this profession provides me.
Mo Ganji
Please tell us more about your single-line tattoo style. How did you develop
this, and what got you into doing just this particular style of tattoos?
We live in a world that is suffering from the constant need for more.
Developing this style was more or less a part of a bigger process that involves
the development of my own character and my own beliefs. One of my deepest
beliefs is that simple does it. I don’t need much for a fulfilling life.
The single-line style is a perfect reflection of that and of the way I live. It’s
clear and easy to understand regardless of age, gender or heritage. Simplicity can
also be so complex that it blows your mind, but it's definitely not for everyone.
Your work is very minimalist, yet it also has a really strong, bold look and
approach. Apart from the single-line style, the themes mostly center on
animals, human faces and other organic forms. Is there a reason for sticking
mainly to these themes? Where else do you draw inspiration from?
Nature is the most fascinating thing and is the best artist that I know.
Nothing is as beautiful as nature. I find all my inspiration there, and you can
clearly see this in my work.
The humans from a thousand years ago probably felt the same way when
they first started to paint on cave walls. When you look at my images, you can
see animals, humans, nature. One and the same line, just in different shapes.
I do believe that everything in this world is energy - one and the same
energy. Some people call it prana or chi, some say nature, life or God. Anyways,
I do believe that the only thing that is separating us from each other and the
world and the energy around us are our egos.
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