This is the primary goal of a German tattoo artist who works at ‘Corpsepainter Tattoo’ in Munich and defines his impactful style as Neo Japanese.
Hi Sebastian, let’s start from a recent event: can you tell me how the ‘Tattoo Planetarium’ 2024 in Paris was for you?
Well, it’s always an honor to work at this prestigious event (IG: @tattooplanetarium), that is humbling and eye-opening at the same time.
Basic question: how did you become a tattoo artist in your life?
Growing up without having any contact to subculture at all, my dad once took me to a local bike show when I was 7.
There I saw my first tattoos and immediately fell in love with outsider culture & the idea of decorating the human body.
So when I turned 20, I started my career as a “homescratcher”, because of the encouragement of my friends and worked my way up from there!
Your Japanese style tattoos seem to literally explode from the skin and photographs. There is a lot of strength in your works and a lot of color that invades the human gaze. Do you think this is your main artistic peculiarity?
I guess so, but that’s for others to decide. My main goal was always readability and a harmonious vibrant color scheme, combined in a good flow. And to make sure it withstands the test of time!
Did you have any Japanese masters? Did you go to that Eastern country to learn the old art of tattoos or are you completely self-taught?
Due to a massive imposter syndrome I never dared to reach out to traditional Masters. (laughs) So I’m in fact completely self-taught, but I know I’m still a student and I always will be! In future I definitely want to go and visit the Land of the Rising Sun.
Is yours a pure Japanese style or is it contaminated by other influences?
I don’t even know if you could call my style Japanese… It’s more like Neo Japanese or Japanese influenced! Any nice term for ripping off other people’s culture. (smiles)
I try to stay respectful to the rules, but I also love pushing and bending them in every direction I see fit!
Have you ever created an entire bodysuit in your career since it seems to me that fullback pieces made by Sebastian Kristen are quite frequent in the requests of your customers, right?
I mostly do front-and backpieces, which I love, but so far I did only one real bodysuit & a few that kind of grew together over the years. I’m still waiting for the first one done from scratch, that doesn’t include too many coverups.
If I were to visit you at ‘Corpsepainter Tattoo’ in Munich, what mood/atmosphere would I find once I crossed the threshold of this tattoo shop?
A funny, open, family atmosphere in which everyone helps each other as well as they can. The willingness to work together is an absolute must in our tattoo studio (IG: @corpsepainter_tattoo), where we see each other as friends first.
After Paris, do you have other prestigious tattoo conventions planned for 2024? And what can you tell me about your future guest spots?
I’m actually not doing a lot of guest spots but I will definitely be at ‘Gods of Ink’ this year (IG: @godsofinktattooconvention), which I really look forward to! Since the end of the London tattoo convention, this is the event I’m looking forward to the most!
And what about the Kemwer? Do you still sing for this German metal band? Is there any new music planned for you?
After the Coronavirus lockdowns I was lacking the energy to continue with the Kemwer (IG: @kemwer.metal), but this project is still near and dear to my heart! We still are all good friends and who knows what the future might bring!
And your last famous words are… ?
Stay humble, nice and busy. And keep the world colorful!
