歡迎光臨高雄市新聞局

◎English translation: Peng Hsin-yi

 

  　 Mr. Yang Chin-siang is not your stereotypical tattoo artist and regarded as one of the most prominent tattoo artists in Taiwan. One of the things that Mr. Yang is well known for is his high level of ethics. He believes tattoo artists must exhibit a high level of self-respect and respect for others. He does not accept clients under 18 and provides free consultation for people getting tattooed for the first time. He explains the process in detail and what to expect when the tattoo is complete. He also encourages clients to go home and think about it. Tattoos are permanent; therefore he doesn't want anyone to regret their decision. He also encourages females to avoid tattooing exposed areas so they won't get ridiculed by people that don't understand the art form.

　   People are often mesmerized by tattoos. Mr. Yang himself has a captivating full-body tattoo. He stated that people often stare but he isn't bothered by it. In his native Taiwanese he explains, "Although we have tattoos, we are just the same as everyone else. We just express ourselves through our tattoo art. Some people are sincerely interested and some people find it an oddity."

  　   Mr. Young was awarded first place in the Black and White category at the prestigious, 2009 Milan Tattoo Convention. His winning portrait of the Chinese Saint "Jigong the Living Buddha" impressed tattoo professionals from around the world. The winning masterpiece depicted the Saint Jigong surrounded by a flying dragon, images of the bodhisattva and dancing goddesses. The Heart Sutra (one of the most recited Buddhist sutras), was also included in a calligraphy script. The tattoo was placed across the model's back and complemented the natural contours of the body.

      Mr. Yang's sophisticated style is carried out with detailed execution and thought. Although Mr. Yang has been tattooing for more than 30 years, he is still passionate about his work. He explains, "Each tattoo is a new challenge and an opportunity to reinvent myself. I continue to improve with each tattoo." At East Tattoo, Mr. Yang and three other artists do not use sample pictures. Every tattoo is created out of extensive discussions with each customer and is custom made. He explained tattoo artists must exhibit solid sketching skills and a good imagination. It is important tattoo artists are always willing to adapt their style and methods of expression for each client. They must keep their work contemporary and relevant. The world's best tattoo artists have developed a unique signature style that can withstand the test of time.

    　 Mr. Yang's tattoos are a reflection of people's lives. "No gain comes without pain", he explains, "humans achieve personal growth through the pain they have experienced and their tattoos embody these experiences." Tattoos bear witness to an individual's personal history. It should therefore be carried out with great consideration and self-responsibility.

　Mr. Yang's bright and open-plan shop, East Tattoo, opened 19 years ago. As one of Taiwan's best tattoo parlors, it sets the bar for others. With modern oriental decor, it is spotless and well organized, with sterile work stations. All tattoo artists at East Tattoo are required to maintain excellent hygiene.

　Mr. Yang's personal story was recently presented in the film Inky Soul. The documentary featured several Taiwanese tattoo artists and premiered at the 2012 Kaohsiung Film Festival. Mr. Yang really appreciated the way the director Chen Huei-mei presented his life as a tattoo artist. He believes it will provide the general public a better understanding of the art of tattoo and that tattoo artists are indeed respected professionals.

 

 

 

 

　    眼前這位楊金祥是台灣刺青界重量級人物，一身輕便進入東方紋身館，頂個光頭，但手臂和身上的刺青，讓他走到哪都是焦點，面對外界因為這一身斑斕的紋身而投以注目的眼神，楊金祥以台語說，我們只是比普通人身上多些花草(指刺青)罷了。

       2009年，楊金祥拿下全球規模最大的義大利米蘭紋身展「黑白組」冠軍，楊金祥以自成一格的東方意象風格，演繹濟公、巨龍、心經和菩薩仙女圖，圖形順應著身形，使其更加維妙維肖，作品豔驚會場。得獎當年，楊金祥已耕耘刺青26載，如今，30個年頭過去了，楊金祥對於刺青仍然熱血，每次創作就像面對全新的自我挑戰，他肯定的說，還會繼續刺下去！

   　 對刺青，楊金祥自有一番論述，他說人生與刺青很像，人生中總有痛苦，但痛苦使人成長，刺青也是一樣的，刺青就是對自己負責，刺青之前要想清楚，刺的時候會痛，之後會留下美麗的印記 。藉由刺青，紀錄下人生某一段宣言。

       成立19年之久的東方紋身是台灣指標性紋身館，明亮的室內空間呈現出現代化的東方風格，這裏的環境超乎想像的乾淨，工作區域以無比的整潔和秩序展現對自主衛生管理一絲不茍的態度。

  　楊金祥把自愛和品德視為這份工作最重要的事，店裏不替未滿18歲的人刺青 ，他強調，面對不甚了解刺青的內容的客戶，他們會為客人設身處地的著想，也因此，對於初次刺青的客戶，會請客戶考慮清楚再來，至於女性客戶則會建議她們避免把刺青刺在手部等明顯位置 ，避免外界投以異樣眼光。

　   楊金祥表示，店裡所有的圖形都與客戶溝通後，量身定作，因此紮實的素描功力是這一行所必備的，但紋身師還必須具備豐富的想像力，此外，表達方式也要能跟得上時代潮流。當被問起，一個傑出與好的刺青師傅的差別？楊金祥表示，傑出的刺青師傅在作品中，開創出獨特的風格。

2012年高雄電影節推出在地主題紀錄片「墨魂」，描述包括楊金祥等台灣刺青師傅的故事，楊金祥表示最喜歡這部片子對紋身師的描述，讓許多人了解，紋身師的專業的工作態度，一種職人的精神。