Your guide to the finest needles in Singapore for creative (and permanent) tattoos.
It’s a rarity these days to walk down a street in Singapore without coming across someone decorated with some form of ink on their skin, whether visible or discreet. In the same vein, the city has no shortage of great tattoo parlours for all your inking endeavours. We’re even proud to say that there’s been a rise in young and talented local handpoke tattoo artists. Their brilliant hands ink intricate and punchy designs using the traditional machine-free, stick-and-poke method.
If you’re looking to finally get your inaugural piece or grow your collection of storied body art, this list of awesome tattoo studios and artists in Singapore will put you in the right place, and hands.
Best tattoo artists in Singapore
1. Think Tattoo
Full disclosure: Elson has been one of our writer’s go-to man for creative (and philosophical, as she’d like to think) tats since she first met him in 2007. She’s the proud owner of four of his works, each showered with compliments. His studio adheres to a high standard of hygiene – gloves are thrown away each time you take a break, and everything in contact with your skin is wrapped in disposable plastic. There’s no one style that Elson specialises in, but he has a knack for profound concepts and dark stories.
Think Tattoo, #02-65, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213
2. Ael Lim
For amazing, hyperrealist portraits work, go to Ael Lim of Imagine Tattooing. The award-winning artist nabbed “Best in Realism” and “Best in Cover-ups” in Singapore’s first tattoo convention back in 2009, and has gone on to spread his wings (we mean ink) at some of the world’s most prestigious conventions.
Ael Lim, discover his work on Instagram
3. Elvin Tattoo
Elvin Yong is big on social media – his Facebook and Instagram page boasts over 100k likes and 100k followers respectively, the last we checked. This only means one thing, he is good. Large-scale black and grey pieces of various styles from surrealism to realistic portraits are his specialties, though we think Elvin is also extremely well-versed in colour.
Elvin Tattoo, Onan Road, Singapore 424570
4. Singapore Electric by Gimmelovetattoo
If you dig neo-Japanese style body art (read: yakuza-type tattoos), Augustine’s your guy. Little wonder why: the laidback, detail-oriented tattooist did his apprenticeship in Japan before opening his own studio. He’s also brilliant in colour, strong lines and amazing fluidity in big body pieces.
Singapore Electric by Gimmelovetattoo, 24 Bali Lane, Singapore 189860
5. Of Gods and Monsters
Fun fact: Owner and tattooist Samuel Yar actually made his own tattoo machine after getting his first tattoo at 18 years old. Talk about an obsession! He has a distinctive oriental flair – think brushstrokes and Asian subjects like geishas, dragons and deities – and is exceptionally skilled in injecting soul and intrigue into eyes, which, in our opinion, is pretty rare in the world of art.
Of Gods and Monsters, private studio; by appointment only
6. Vagabond Ink
This tattoo parlour in Chinatown is home to uber-cool folks: Peenut Lee, Andrew Lim, Natalie Wee and Alison Yen. It all boils down to what you’re looking for. Lee has a flair for sketchy, geometrical drawings, while Lim has a knack for back and colour work. Yen is great at realism and you can count on Wee for solid black illustrations.
Vagabond Ink, #01-21, 333 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore 080333
7. Weirdwires.n
A quick scroll on his IG page and you’ll get the sense that Nikkie has a gift for the weird and zany. Incorporating surrealism in his works, each tattoo is juxtaposed with two motifs to create a stunning piece of art. He also does cute portraits of cats and if you’ve something on your mind, feel free to share it with him and he’ll be able to sketch up a one-of-a-kind ink.
Weirdwires.n, discover his work on Instagram
8. Jared Asalli
Jared Asalli is the artist for symmetrical, eye-grabbing illustrations. Though relatively new to the game – Jared started tattooing full-time in 2012 – his line work is stellar, and a lot of his pieces feature intricate, precise details you can stare at for hours.
Jared Asalli, discover his work on Instagram
9. Fleecircus
She may be new to the local tattoo scene, but Fleecircus (real name Lee Wai Leng) sure shows a lot of promise – she is, after all, a full-time illustrator who does utterly beautiful portrait works that we wouldn’t mind having permanently on our skin.
Fleecircus, discover her work on Instagram
10. Iron Fist Tattoo
While this mysterious tattoo parlour has no website, you can grab hold of them via their well-curated Instagram page. Iron Fist Tattoo is run by two uber chill dudes, Khai and Myles, who’ll go all out to make their clients feel at home when paying a visit to their studio in Club Street. They do plenty of neo-traditional, illustrative tattoos, mostly in black and grey, and dotwork.
Iron Fist Tattoo, #03-01, 21 Mosque Street, Singapore 059501
11. Visual Orgasm Tattoo
Established in 2005, the team is helmed by tattooist Joseph, who’s an expert in realism, oriental and biomech tattoos – read as just about anything avant-garde. Along with Bobo, who combines clean lines and black work to create beautiful pieces, and Shi Peng, who has a great passion for realism tattoos, you can look forward to rockingly fierce and striking tattoos that’ll be uniquely yours!
Visual Orgasm Tattoo, Level 3, 8B Canton Street, Singapore 049748
12. Hellotako
If you prefer a more playful, whimsical (and maybe, cutesy) kind of tattoo – say hello to Victoria Woon, the amazing tattooist behind hellotako. Having studied illustration at the renowned Parsons School of Design, it’s no wonder you’ll get to see myriad interesting, creative, and sticker-style masterpieces from Victoria. Think tattoo designs like a cat on a hot air balloon and a school bus in the woods surrounded by mountains.
Hellotako, discover her work on Instagram
13. Galaxy Tattoo 2
Nicckuhori, owner of Galaxy Tattoo 2 has been mastering the fine art of traditional Japanese art since 1998. Expect intricate, dramatic strokes alongside mythical animals such as dragons and phoenixes. They also host international tattoo artists from time to time, so follow their Instagram to be in the know.
Galaxy Tattoo 2, 16A Trengganu Street Chinatown Singapore 058470
14. Moonstruck Tattoo
We’re awestruck by their Instagram feed. From traditional and realism to geometric designs, the tattoo designs are one-of-a-kind as no artwork will be repeated. Just take note that they work on an appointment basis.
Moonstruck Tattoo, #04-00, 213 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208897
Handpoke tattoo artists in Singapore
15. Crisis.mgt
This self-taught, independent tattoo artist may be young but she’s already accumulated a following of more than 17k fans on Instagram. Her designs are whimsical, and are rather playful in nature – lighthearted yet sprinkled with a dose of self-deprecating humour. If you like the quirky characters from the animated series Adventure Time, this might just be up your alley.
Crisis.mgt, discover her work on Instagram
16. Scarlettpokes
Scarlett’s works are imbued with a myriad of vibrant and pastel colours that give her handpoked designs an ethereal feel. We’re big fans of her the way she delivers flora and fauna designs (so dreamy!), as well as her take on popular characters from Disney and Studio Ghibli films.
Scarlettpokes, discover her work on Instagram
17. Jessinfully
Like doodles out of the pages of a scrapbook is how we’d describe the ink by Jessinfully. A scroll through her Instagram page reveals handpoked pieces of art that can be equal parts cute and unnerving. We definitely recommend this if you pride yourself on being a bit of an oddball.
Jessinfully, discover her work on Instagram
18. Sick N Poke
From magic matchsticks to funky landscapes, this tattoo artist’s handpoked designs are always a surprise. Browsing through the collection of past works always leaves us inspired. If you’re looking for an artist to conjure up a memorable piece of work to add to your human flesh prison, Sick N Poke is a worthy contender.
Sick N Poke, discover her work on Instagram
19. Pokekhai
Add a bit of magic to your skin under the experienced hands of Pokekhai. Dainty lines and intricate designs make up the fabric of his works of art. His hand-poked tattoos range from delicate butterfly wings to graceful ocean waves.
Pokekhai, discover his work on Instagram
So, are you ready to get inked? Look no further than these tattoo artists in Singapore for a rad work of art.
