BENGALURU: Thought tattoos have become common, people are divided on them. While some consider them taboo, for others, they are fashionable or spiritual or both.
People are also divided on whether getting inked is safe or not. In this regard, Dark Arts, a studio in Koramangala that was started in 2003, is working towards standardising tattoo culture.
“With assistance from the government, we are trying to bring to Karnataka the guidelines foreign artists follow,” says Pradeep Menon, the studio’s co-founder.
Also an association of seven forerunners, Dark Arts aims to prevent Chinese goods, which could cause disease, from entering the market. Use of these cheaper alternatives by some studios hamper business for genuine artists, Pradeep rues.
“We conduct workshops and seminars to create awareness and encourage clean, safe tattooing,” he says.
Dark Arts caters to men and women of the 18 to 65 age group.
“I have quite a few tattoos and all are from Dark Arts,” says Vinnie, a regular customer. “They take into consideration the client’s needs. They use clean equipment for every patron.”
The studio is a proud owner of over 1.5 lakh templates. It hosts celebrity tattoo artists and seeks their inputs. The association invites fellow artists to join their mission. According to Menon, 20 artists are considering jumping on the bandwagon.
“According to a survey, people with tattoos were found to be immune to minor illnesses, such as common cold and viral fever,” he claims. “If safe ink and sterilised needles are used, there are no health risks.”
Dark Arts’ in-house doctor Dr Padmanaba, who has specialised in piercing, oversees the process.