Italian tattoo artist Anita Rossi (@anitarossitattoo) knew she’d found something special the first time she put ink into skin – getting over her fear of needles in the process! She creates exquisite abstract fine-line tattoos from Namaste Tattoo Studio in Turin, and also travels a lot doing guest spots across Europe and the US. Here, we chat about her love for art history, the exhibitions she‘s been involved in and her plans for the future… Anita, we love your work and we hope that you do too…
When did you first fall in love with tattoos?
My love for tattoos is a long-lasting love that started when I began drawing. I’ve been into illustrations since my childhood. My mother still has some of my pre-school years drawings on her house walls. In high school, tattooing started developing as an idea in my mind and tattooed people began to attract my attention. In my eyes, they were special people.
During my period at the Accademia di Belle Art in Venice, some course mates and friends asked me to sketch tattoo ideas for them. Then the rumour spread and the requests grew in number. I liked doing it, but I never would have thought I could be the one actually tattooing – I’ve always been afraid of needles!
How and when did you learn to tattoo?
Some 20 years ago I started hanging out at a tattoo studio and, with all the courage I could find, I eventually made my first tattoo on the owner himself.
As I did it, the emotion I felt is hard to describe, but then and there I understood that tattooing was the missing piece in my life. Ever since then I haven’t stopped doing it. By the way, that first tattoo came out really badly!
You’ve been part of events where you chat about women and tattooing, can you tell us more about this?
I have participated in many woman/tattoo themed exhibitions alongside other female artists and tattoo artists. In my paintings, the woman often plays a leading role. This is one of the results of my research into the history of art.
Some of my work has even been displayed in tattoo conventions. I’ve also participated in the Genova Contemporanea at Satura Gallery in Genova, Italy. As well as Ex Cartiera Latina’s Kokeshi Rebel Fest exhibition in Roma.
Last November, the Turin Bookshop Libreria Setsu-bun & Millevolti asked me to chair the conference, Women and Tattoos: the Belonging of Oneself. We explored the meaning that tattoos have for women, from a social, cultural and symbolic point of view. The main topic of this first meeting was tattoos seen as personal and spiritual identity, and as an element of role self-determination in a man/woman context. I am interested in such cultural moments, as noticing the mere beauty of an inked body without any gender distinction is yet to be achieved.
Have you seen the tattoo industry change while you have been tattooing?
Of course! When I started there weren’t many female tattoo artists, but, throughout the years, I’ve seen many women approaching this industry.
A vital change has taken place concerning the materials, too. Inks and pen machines have evolved to become tools fit for multiple styles and skills. My hands are tiny and the chance of using tiny tools is more than a little relieving.
Do you think the industry is doing enough to be inclusive? What would you like to see?
The tattoo industry is made of the same people as the society we live in. Acceptance and inclusion are qualities of intellect and art works (including tattoos) and should be genderless. I crave more intellectual freedom, I wish we didn’t ask who made a tattoo before liking it. I would like it if there was more artistic culture and, above all, we stopped exploiting women’s body.
We love your fine-line tattoos, how did these come to be?
They rose from my need to move the product of my mind from paper to skin. My work always sticks to the idea of a sketch, a frame, a memory of the individual’s personal story. I care about the technique and supporting the skin.
I have always been attracted to details and the ability to insert them in paintings. They are crafted with intense amounts of focus and lasting attention, and curiosity of the beyond. I would (and still do) spend hours staring at Bosch’s and Francis Bacon’s paintings, Schiele’s sketches, Tina Modoc and Sarah Moon’s pictures.
How do you like to work with clients? Do you prefer flash or custom work?
I prefer to create personalised work. I think tattooing means expressing each customer’s unique story. I like people to feel free to make me part of their thinking and of what they want their tattoo to focus on.
I need to meet the client in person, through a video call or, of it’s not possible, communicate via email, so that we can deepen our ideas before proceeding with the drawing.
Is there anything you’d love to tattoo?
I prefer animal and botanical subjects implemented with abstract lines. I generally can’t think of a specific subject, but I prefer to work on concepts developing through the exchange with the customer, who usually gives me carte blanche.
Obviously, if you want to please me, just ask me to include some elements of art history!
What are your guest spot plans and how can people book with you?
Namaste Tattoo Studio in Turin, Italy, is my home, though I have an artistic visa to work in the US. My American base is Black Serum in San Francisco but, in the last two years, I’ve worked as a guest in New York, LA and Miami. I guess I’m going to go back there, but I would like to see other cities, too.
Next autumn, I am participating in a convention in Thailand; it’s my first time and I’m super excited! From next year, I would also like to get back to some guest experiences closer to home: Amsterdam, Vienna, Marseille, Paris, Valencia and Munich.
We can’t wait to see what and where you tattoo next. Follow: anitarossitattoo