At 46 years old, Ben Banzai is one of the most talented and fine needles of the Spanish news-school style. Originally from Alicante where he works in his studio Banzai Tattoo, Benjamin Macia Martinez tells us about his career and the way he looks at the profession today... while waiting for a strong comeback of his favourite style, somewhat neglected by the public these last years.
When did tattooing start for you?
I started around 1997-8, but I really took it seriously from 2006 onwards. At first I spent about 5 years as a tattoo designer and the boss of the studio I was working for was doing them. I remember a great time, everything was simple and fun. However, there comes a time when you have to evolve professionally and in 2006 I started to want to tattoo my own designs. I can say that it is from this moment that my real adventure with tattooing started, especially with the new school.
New school tattooers often come from graffiti, and you?
For me it's more of an illustration background, because from a very young age I was addicted to comics and the great illustrators of the tattoo world.
What are your references in tattooing?
As an artist I admire anyone who can find their style and make it immediately recognizable. Since I started, my references are Logan (Barracuda) and Chil (Victor). I have always seen them as the Messi and Ronaldo of colour tattooing in Spain. This doesn't take away any credit from the others. Spain has always boasted great artists, in many fields, and will continue to do so. But yes, I lived through a very lively time, with such a profusion of colours that you looked like a Christmas tree. It made a big impression on me to see all those tattoos, it was a sight to behold. At the moment there are a lot of very talented new artists. Timmy_B, James Tex... they motivate you to want to grow, to give the best of yourself. It might be difficult to match them but your level will improve with the years and for that you can thank them.
Which artists' work can be seen on the walls of your studio?
A lot of tattoo artists I've met and admired, even had the privilege of working with - I've even tattooed some of them. They are all great artists and good people. I have tattoos from new school tattoo artists like Logan Barracuda, Victor Chil, Oash, James Tex, Jamie Ris, Marcüs, Willy Martin, Teresa Sharpe, Jota, Ypso, Guindero, Kasas, Cristian Casas, Raul and many more.
Next to the new school you also do more surprisingly realistic work, what pleasure do you get from it?
New school suffers from a lack of recognition of the commitment it requires. I'm not just talking about the hours of execution of the tattoo but all the hours spent behind the drawing, working on expressions, perspectives, planes, lighting and colours... That being said, the demand for new school has not been as high for some time, unlike that for realism, and I have to conform to what my clients want! I don't mean to say that I don't like it, it's just that I don't find the same creative satisfaction, the same challenge of the blank page when it comes to giving shape to a creature. In fact, I don't consider myself good at it.
What do you think of the craft today?
The tattoo world today, I don't know... it seems like it's all about social media management, being an influencer, travelling a lot. I try not to think too much about that kind of mentality because it doesn't suit me. I don't think being an influencer, being famous is the way to go, even if it means charging more for your hours. What I like is to know that I am appreciated, loved by people in my profession and this recognition tells me that I have succeeded. I leave the awards, fame and luxury to those who want them.
Is the new ban on coloured inks something that worries you?
I'm not sure what will happen. The only thing I know for sure is that the tattoo world is close to piracy and even if they want to remove these inks, put fines on them, we will still find a way to get them and we will still tattoo. I'm more worried about the big brands stopping making them. But I like to think that everything will be solved by giving the bureaucratic states their piece of the pie and asking for it. + IG : @ben_banzai
