Doped up on punk and old-school style, Genoa-based Italian tattoo artist Francesco Garbuggino dusts off the traditional style by introducing an aggressive iconography inherited from his love for amplified music.
When did the association of tattoo and Rock'n'Roll come about for you?
Tattoos are rock'n'roll! I listened to a lot of punk music as a teenager, mostly American, and the many tattoos of band members caught my attention. There was no internet, I didn't know the different styles of tattoos at all, I couldn't even see them well on the record photos, but I knew I liked them. It was at this time, when I was 18, that I got my first tattoos done in a studio in my neighbourhood. I chose the subjects from a sketchbook full of drawings cut from magazines and in completely different styles, but I wasn't very aware of it at the time...
Did you notice any particular styles though?
I started buying magazines and getting a better look at the tattoos I could see, especially at concerts. The traditional American style was the most present in that environment and it was the one that impressed me the most. It's probably the style I fell in love with right away, but I didn't know that at first. I would mention two bands that I listened to a lot at the time that were fundamental to my interest in the style: US Bombs and H2O. Their respective frontmen, Duane Peters and Toby Morse, were very tattooed and I really liked their attitude.
Your style does indeed use graphic codes (big lines, small colour palette) of the traditional old-school style.
The old school was the starting point from which I tried to develop a more personal style. Since I started tattooing in 2009, I have felt constrained by overly defined canons. It came naturally to me to look for a language that was closer to me. You could say that my tattoos are "modern traditional". They are based on a classical approach but with many more graphic elements.
Yes, you add punk references to the traditional iconography: knives, nail gloves...
Obviously, in what I do, there are a lot of elements of what I like and metal and punk iconography has always been part of my graphic imagery. I think I'll never stop including it in my work.
Talking about metal and punk images, have you been influenced by a particular artist ?
I listen to a lot of thrash metal and one artist who has influenced me, not in the graphics, but in his subjects, is without a doubt Ed Repka (American illustrator who notably created the record covers for thrash bands Megadeth, Nuclear Assault, etc.). His record covers always drive me crazy!
There are also references to history, architecture, subjects that interest you?
Of course! I live in Italy, I am surrounded by magnificent architecture, it would be impossible not to be influenced by it. In particular, I am very inspired by medieval frescoes. The synthesis of structures is something I like a lot and I often include it in my tattoos.
The synthesis of structures?
Yes, the graphic synthesis of all medieval art. I find it fascinating and it has also been very useful in developing some of the types of subjects I propose. Structures and constructions are a perfect example. Synthesis is one of the most important aspects of the traditional style.
The references to the Indian religion are your side... psychedelic rock?!
I sometimes do subjects on Indian religion, but I must say that they are mostly requested by clients. These are works that I do with great pleasure because they are beautiful, graphically and culturally.
Have you been influenced by any particular tattoo artists in the history of the old-school style?
I place one name above all others, Dan Higgs. His graphics were fundamental in finding my personal style.
What specifically inspired you?
The innovation in its subjects is certainly the aspect that impressed me the most. I realised that I could be traditional even without drawing a rose.
I found this line from Dan Higgs that says: "Traditional tattooing is not about being stuck in the past, but about nurturing something that came before you because you deeply hope it will continue after you. It's about being in the middle, not at the end." What do you think?
I totally agree with these words. I think this is exactly the kind of research I try to do every day in my studio. Starting from the past is fundamental, but to survive tattoos have to grow, they have to be contaminated. But at the same time they have to stay true to themselves.
Tattooers often listen to a lot of music, for tattooing and drawing, which bands do you like to listen to?
I hate working in silence. One of my favourite things about the presses I use is that they are very quiet and allow me to listen to music in peace, mainly metal. But while I'm working I try to keep the music selection a little more relaxed so the client can enjoy the tattoo experience. Doom brings it all together. Bands like Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Electric Wizard... create the atmosphere in the studio.
Finally, tell us about Genoa, would you recommend it to rock fans?
Genoa is one of the cities with the most elderly people, not only in Italy, but in the whole of Europe, so I would say no! + Instagram : @fra_inknroll_tattoo / @inknroll_tattooshop INK'n'ROLL Tattoo Shop Via P. Giacometti 11r Gênes (Italie) https://www.inknroll.it
