American tattoo artist Ben Shaw has been inking designs into skin since the turn of the century. He started out his career by travelling the United States, gaining experience in different tattoo parlors before finally settling down at Octopus Tattoo in Derby in the United Kingdom.
Shaw’s style is a mix of traditional design elements and dark, gothic characters such as skulls, demons, monsters and vikings. This subject matter explores the darker aspects of the world and Shaw delights in the dangerous nature of these subjects. However, while many of his designs focus on death and danger, they are also a celebration of life. Flowers, insects and leaves interact with the designs to add a splash of contrast between life and death. The colors that he uses are vibrant and add a lively feel to his art that makes his tattoos appealing to examine in detail.
Many of Shaw’s tattoos are influenced by Japanese tattoos, especially the art of irezumi. Shaw’s tattoos could fall into the category of modern irezumi, which is inspired by traditional irezumi while also having a modern character all of its own, a character that is generally unique to each artist. Below, you can see some examples of his work that have distinct Japanese elements such as Japanese warriors, demons and dragons.
Check out Ben Shaw’s designs below and enjoy the duality of his artwork. You can also see more tattoo sketches and finished tattoos on his website or Instagram.
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- A blue Japanese dragon stalks the viewer in this tattoo by Ben Shaw. Shaw has a talent for using bright colors in a tattoo with dark, gothic themes.
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- A hooded skull with glowing eyes watches the world from behind a cluster of cherry blossoms in this gothic tattoo by Ben Shaw. The blue glowing eyes is an image from Terry Pratchett’s depiction of Death, a character who was very personable and humane. Creating this reference to Pratchett’s comedic stories adds a bit of humor to this otherwise dark and sinister tattoo design.
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- A Japanese demon grins out from behind the cover of cherry blossoms and waves in this life and death tattoo by Ben Shaw
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- A skull emerges from a colorful flower in this tattoo by Ben Shaw that celebrates life and death.
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- Adding bright colours to this Ben Shaw tattoo doesn’t make this dragon any less dangerous.
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- Ben Shaw tattoos a fierce Foo Dog in bright blues and yellows. Foo dogs, or Foo Lions, are lions that protect people from evil. When worn on skin as a tattoo, it is believed to protect the wearer from negative influences and abuisev personalities who may mean the person harm.
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- Tattoo artist Ben Shaw makes this snarling tiger a samurai warrior by giving it the traditional helmet of Japanese warriors.
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- The Death’s head hawk moth tattoo by Ben Shaw features a human skull nestled between the moth’s wings which fit perfectly on this girl’s chest.
