Jin Gab - SA Tattoo Artist
SPECIALITY: Neo realism/detailed work
INSTAGRAM: @ jingabkingtattoo
Can you give our readers a little tattoo history about yourself and your background?
I’ve been tattooing for 11 years, and I started my journey in South Korea. My path into tattooing was straightforward yet transformative. I’ve always loved drawing since I was young, and I wanted a career that gave me freedom—freedom to meet people, to travel, and to create. When I discovered tattooing, I was amazed by the idea of creating art that stays with someone for life. At that moment, I decided, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
In South Korea, tattooing was (and still is) illegal, which made learning and practicing very challenging. I even had to deal with investigations from the police for months. Despite these obstacles, I worked as an apprentice at several shops, paid for lessons, and practiced on myself and friends. Over time, I developed my skills, traveling to places like Melbourne and New York to learn from other artists and, of course, from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, which I consider some of my greatest teachers.
As a kid, what type of stuff did you draw and what art were you inspired by?
As a kid, I mostly drew animals. I’ve always loved animals, especially tigers, which I think explains why I still enjoy creating animal tattoos today. There’s something about animals that feels raw and genuine—something I couldn’t quite find in people.
Was there a particular style that you picked up straight away or did you experiment alot to find your niche? Also how do you describe your style and where does it fit into the industry?
When I first started tattooing, I was obsessed with Japanese-style tattoos. Then I fell in love with neo-traditional work, and now, I’m completely immersed in realism. If I had to label my current style, I’d call it “neo-realism” I’m constantly exploring the limits of texture, colour, and detail in 2D art. However, I don’t like to box myself into one category. Sometimes my work might show the emotional depth of Japanese designs, the bold colours of neo-traditional tattoos, or the intricate details of realism. For me, defining a style feels restrictive—it limits creativity and growth.
I see myself as being somewhere in the middle of the tattoo industry. On one end, there are artists with well-established, defined styles, and on the other end, there are those just starting out, finding their niche. My clients often have diverse tastes and aren’t tied to one specific style. They enjoy mixing elements, which I love bringing together in my designs.
Looking at the detail you put into your work how far you have evolved over the years as an artist and what inspires you when designing some of your work?
At first, my goal as a tattoo artist was simple: to create my art and become a globally recognized artist. But over time, I realized something more important: the client. My greatest source of inspiration is the client. I focus on why they want the tattoo, their preferences, and what will suit them best in terms of design, placement, and meaning. While I create the designs, I never lose sight of the fact that the tattoo is for them, not for me. Even when I create flash designs, I imagine a hypothetical client in my mind, and surprisingly, someone with similar preferences often ends up choosing that design.