By: Prima Frambawati
Tattooed backs at a ceremony, By: Rollan Budi
Kuta is a place where you can fulfil any desire, featuring the perfect holiday combination of beach life and entertainment. Kuta is the hotspot of Bali, once a small fishing village, now grown into a full fling tourist resort, with all its vices.
Strings of budget hotels, watering holes for thirsty backpackers, internet cafés and…tattoo shops! Even though tattoos are not a part of traditional Balinese culture (as they are for the Dayak on Borneo), you will see more tattooed skin here than on any other island in the archipelago. Tattoos have become part of Balinese popculture and as a result some very talented tattoo artists set up shop in Kuta.
If you are visiting Bali, it is best if you book an appointment ahead of time towards the end of your holiday so as not to expose the fresh tattoo to sun, surf and chlorinated water, all of which can be detrimental to the healing process and can actually damage the skin (and tattoo) permanently.
You should not have sun-burnt skin when getting tattooed and it is best to avoid excessive alcohol consumption previous to your visit as this can thin the blood and make it difficult to insert the needles into your skin due to excess bleeding. Try to take it easy out of the heat for 24 hours after application so as to minimize perspiration as this can also “bleed” the new tattoo out of your skin.
If you find yourself on Bali and in desperate need for some ink, then take your pick out of these reputable tattoo shops:
Tattoo artists in Bali
Rudi at work
Rudi’s Art Tattoo
Address: Jalan Pantai Kuta, Benesari Lane, Kuta, Bali 80361
Phone: +62 821 44 839323
Website: www.ketutrudi.com
Artist: Ketut Rudiartana (Rudi)
Short review: The location of the tattoo studio is relatively easy to find. It is very close to Kuta beach, on a small lane running off the beach towards Jalan Legian. The studio is designed to be a cozy place to hangout. All of the tattoo supplies from ink, needles, sterilizers, and so on are supplied by Rudi’s brother’s tattoo studio, Madet Tattoo in Germany. Rudi has won severa local and international awards and has been a trusted jury member in several tattoo contest in Bali. One of his awards was 3rd Place in the Best of Day, International Tattoo Convention, Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany. Back on Bali, he worked as a professional tattoo artist in a tattoo studio located in Kuta. Willing to manifest his own idealism in tattoo, Rudi established his own tattoo studio in 2009. Rudi’s artistic sense is outstanding. He does tattoos with passion and love of tattoo art.
Bali touch, a barong tattoo by Rudi
Getting a ski tattooed while in Bali? Leave it to Rudi
Bali Dreamz Tattoo
Address: Komp. Pertokoan Wanasegara Kav. 8 Jl. Wanasegara Tuban Kuta Bali 80361
Phone: +62 361 763 178
Website: www.balidreamztattoo.com (very slow website, find them on Facebook too )
Artist: Songcat
A piece of work, by Balidreamz
Short Review: Bali Dreamz studio is located in the vicinity of German beach in Kuta. The Studio is air conditioned on all floors for your comfort. The reception is located on the first floor along with a relaxing lounge for your tattoo selection or while waiting to see your Artist.
A glass petitioned tattoo booth with separate sterilisation room is located on the second floor. They have an autoclave on premises and follow strict sterilisation practices, using only bottled water for all steps in cleaning and the tattoo process.
The artist, Songcat, used to be a Balinese painter in Sukawati, Gianyar. In 1994, he started tattooing. He has travelled to Australia to perfect his tattoo skills. Songcat is a great all-round tattoo artist, with more than 16 yars experience, that will make your tattoo come true.
Ibud Tattoo
Address: Jalan Padma Utara, Kuta, Badung, Bali, 80361
Phone: +62 361 754 162
Website: www.ibud-tattoo.com
Artist: Ibud
Short review: Ibud Tattoo lies north of Legian street, in the centre of Kuta on Padma Utara street opposite Padma Cyber Cafe. The artist, Ibud, has won some awards like for example the Best Oriental category in an event called Body Painting and Tattoo Show 2006 in Bali.
Ibud is a Balinese tattoo artist who has at it for about 12 years, giving him enough experience to accommodate all styles and requests you might throw at him. With plenty of experience, Ibud is proficient in all styles of tattooing with freehand being his specialty, all at reasonable prices.
Ibud tattoo shop
Why not take an Ibud tattoo?
