Tattoos: an artistic form of self-expression
"People get tattoos for various reasons such as religion and spiritual devotion, to mark their status, pledges of love or simply as decoration"
POLOKWANE – Tattoo artists, Thato Rakau and Bonolo Tlhabi talk about the most popular body art in the form of ink.
The duo are the owners of 2Chubby Shadows multi media and entertainment. They recently visited Polokwane during the Rule Out VIP event, where they shared their insights about the meaning and significance behind tattoos, and why they form part of our lifestyle.
People get tattoos for various reasons such as religion and spiritual devotion, to mark their status, pledges of love or simply as decoration.
Rakau shares his advice on several things to consider before getting a tattoo:
• It must not be a juvenile decision, particularly if its a permanent one. You need to be certain about the idea because you can’t just wake up and decide to get rid of it. He says although tattoos can be removed, it is a very painful and expensive process. His advice is to think carefully and make an informed decision before getting a tattoo.
• Your workplace and career field are important factors to take into consideration as some professions do not allow tattoos, whether they are visible or not.
• Make sure you are not allergic to the ink used for the tattoo. Most tattoo inks contain nickel, however, there is nickel free ink which should then be used. Do proper research regarding your allergies and personal health before you get a tattoo.
Form of expression
Tlhabi explains that in modern day society, tattoos are used as a form of expression more than anything else.
The duo offer both permanent and temporary tattoos at their studio, depending on the client’s preference.
“The most common tattoo requests include stars, crosses, and names. Our clients often get the names of loved ones tattooed to celebrate them or to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed away.”
Their studio is based in Pretoria, but they offer mobile services all over the country.
“We travel to different festivals and events to provide our services to clients from other provinces,” Tlhabi explains.
He says due to the rising demand in tattoos, they wanted to breach the gap and reach a larger client base.
Follow them on Instagram: 2chubby_shadows or Facebook: Two Chubby Shadows
