Tattoo Artist Interview : Unyil Hanafi

Unyil is one of tattoo artists that prefers horse than Harley. He loves culinary as well as Celtic world. Used to open his own tattoo studio in Malang and Jakarta, and finally now he is in Bali joining Suku-Suku Tatau Studio. For him, tattoo is the highest art which will be carried on forever. Below was the interview between Magic Ink and Unyil who just got ready traveling to East Java!

How long have you been in Bali?
I’ve been here for a year, but before that I used to have a studio in Malang, also in Jakarta. Those studios were closed for some mistakes, but I’d learned from it.

How’s the story so that you finally end up in Suku-Suku Tatau?
It’s simple. There are many tattoo studios, but I’m here because of the similarities in concept, art, and treble style.

Talking about tattoo style, what do you incline to?
Actually there are lots of tattoo styles, but I’d more likely to call them character or pattern, not style. Just like most people who look from the art character, I incline to Celtic.

And why are you so expert in Celtic patterns?
I don’t know, maybe because I like Celtic pictures, the complexity in it amazes me. I guess that’s why I love Celtic, hahaha..

Is there any difference among tattoo art in Malang, Jakarta, and Bali?
Maybe the difference is in the customers. Bali is more superior for it’s in the international scale, because it connects with the tourism. Because of tourism, I can learn much and try new things, but not only for trials and errors, ok. Hahaha..

Anyway, how did you learn tattoo art?
I learned autodidactly, never really had a specific learning. I work by following the nature, from what it gives to me. I started doing tattoo in 1990, but productively in 1996.

Why don’t you become an entrepreneur?
Hahahahaha, I prefer becoming a tattoo artist. I think it’s impossible for me being an entrepreneur. I mean, tattoo artist is also an entrepreneur, but there’s no way becoming a real one.

Do you have a will to pilgrimage?
Hahahahaha, I guess not. Maybe I’ll make my wife a pilgrim.

We’re curious, do you like music?
Hahaha, I like foods better. Wherever I come and stay, the first thing I look for is always culinary.

Ok man, give us your wise words!
I hope tattoo can grow better in our community. Thanks to my family, my parents who already delivered me to this world, especially my wife who always supports me. “I’m nothing without my
family,” and hopefully Magic Ink will be bigger and more familiar.

Last question, why are you called Unyil?
That’s my nick name since I was a little kid. Until now I’m the biggest one, I’m still called Unyil. But I got that name from the street, so it should be saved, hahaha..