This artist originally from Taiwan (he works on the island at his ‘C.Z. Tattoo’) has been able to reinvent a historical and codified way of tattooing by infusing it with fantasy, irony and freshness.
Tien Tien, how long have you been tattooing?
Hi, my name is Tien Tien (IG: @onederfunk) and I’ve been tattooing for 15 years.
What have been the highlights of your artistic journey so far?
Well, although there is still much to learn, winning second place in 2024 in the Bodysuit contest at the ‘Mondial du Tatouage’ in Paris (IG: @mondialdutatouage) has been a great encouragement for me.
Yours is a Japanese style that certainly draws with traditional subjects, but then evolves them according to your taste, your imagination, and your senso of irony. Do you think that’s a fair definition?
Yes. If you describe my style with those words, my answer can only be affirmative.
I think original and smart tattoos like yours are very useful in refreshing the scene from certain traditions and a specific way of tattooing codified subjects. What do you think?
Yeah! This is exactly what I’ve been striving for: finding my own taste within Traditional styles. Of course, I also love Traditional themes, and I try to do both, whether it’s breaking or following these rules.
What is ‘C.Z. Tattoo’? Can you describe this artistic space to us?
This is my master’s shop (IG: @cztattoo.taiwan); this is where I started learning and nowadays you can find me (IG: @onederfunk) working there.
What’s your relationship with international tattoo conventions?
I like tattoo conventions but I’ve been focusing on my work in Taiwan (IG: @cztattoo.taiwan) in recent years.
Which upcoming ones do you have already marked on your agenda?
This year I would like to check out the ‘Iron Gate Tattoo Convention’ (IG: @theirongatetattooconvention) in Australia. This year it will take place in Sydney from 6 to 8 November.
And your last famous words are… ?
Harder, better, faster, stronger.
