A nickname like that was a daring move, so we went to ask Quentin - aka Dirty Peku - to tell us his story. Which he did with pleasure, while going back over his career and his passion for the letter he likes to dirty his fingers with to the point of excess. An art in which the French tattooist from Nevers allows himself all sorts of experimentation, even taking inspiration from the masters of Japanese tattooing to imagine making body suits with the letters of the alphabet.
Quick presentation ?
Hello, my name is Quentin aka Dirty Peku and I'm from Nevers in Burgundy, France. I'm 32 years old and I work privately in my little cave, but mainly as a guest in shops all over France.
Where does your career start?
Not surprisingly, I have always drawn more or less. I finished my studies before graduating and then I worked as a painter. I met my old tattooist-boss when I got a needle from him and with his agreement I started tattooing my friends at home, like an old scratcher - without taking any money of course, the objective being to get a good hand. Eventually, one day he offered me an apprenticeship which I accepted and started (but still haven't finished!) and then, after a few years, our paths separated. Since then, I have been working on my letters!
Have you spent time in the graffiti world?
No, I come from the world of letter painting. Since I was a teenager I've always painted, more or less regularly depending on the period - sometimes I didn't touch a spray for a year. I'm a beginner in this field and I respect my brothers who play the game so much that I can't call myself a 'graffiti artist'! But for a good vandalism or a good legal wall I'm always up for it! The passion of the letter has no limits.
Did working on different formats help your tattoo?
Working on different formats (walls, floors, busts, tables or even canvas...) and different textures helps to understand and above all to develop different techniques that it will be possible to try to transfer into the tattoo. For example, the effects of drips or splashes of spray in graffiti. Transferring the effect done on a wall or a canvas to the skin, I think it's really cool!
Some tattoo artists get into lettering because in the studio where they work someone has to stick to it. How did it happen for you?
That's exactly it! Basically, even though I've always drawn and painted to a greater or lesser extent, I wasn't predestined to only do letters. I thought I would be rather versatile. Besides, I'm still very interested in all tattoo styles - except the ignorant style, don't abuse it! Hahaha. And then, by dint of taking all the letterings that the boss let me type, I got hooked, until I realised that with twenty-six letters you could type thousands! It's magic, this thing!
Did you have any influences that directed your choices in the type of letters you liked to work with?
I was hugely influenced by the Chicano culture. It was crazy in the tattoo mags with letters from Boog, Big Sleeps, Norm, Mister Cartoon but also from my brother Lucho Morante to whom I give big kisses! I was watching the work of other masters of course, like Big Meas, Pierre Oked, Sam Taylor, Edgy ... and I forget so many! Also, like the whole generation I come from, I've always been inspired by hip-hop culture. It's still the case today ! The last person to influence me very strongly was Vincent ABIS ONE the prince of goth style (RIP brother). I'm proud and honoured to have been able to talk to him about our work and our families.
Where does the dirty, smoky look in your work - and your nickname - come from?
My PEKU nickname dates back to college. As my initials are PQ (same as ‘toilet paper’ in French), you can imagine the fun everyone had calling me a 'three-ply lotus paper roll' and especially 'PQ'. It was all just a bit of a joke, we all know how mean kids can be and it was just something to do. Until one day I slammed a big vandalism in the neighbourhood of the college, with my nickname phonetically put 'PÉ 'KU' and then, strangely, everyone respected me! The dirty and smutty side of my current job is simply my demons. I can't control my wild side, it just comes out!
Dark lettering is rock culture meeting graffiti culture through tattooing?
Very good question! It's quite possible, we always associate dark lettering with dark metal, hardcore, rock bands, etc. As far as I'm concerned, it's more the graffiti culture associated with the nasty sound of East Coast hip hop bands (Wu Tang Clan, Das EFX, Jedi Minds Tricks .... ) but also West Coast ( NWA, Tupac, Ice Cube, Easy-E ... ) that gave the ninja and wild inspiration to my tricks, to my flows !
I saw a post on instagram where an artist wrote: "Calligraphy is not lettering". What do you think about this?
Calligraphy is not necessarily lettering, I agree with that. Calligraphy is text, but also abstract, shapes and movements of brushes, markers, spray, directly applied and adapted to the supports. This results in angry projects that are just awesome to look at. Pure graphic design in lettering mode!
Are there any masters whose work you still watch?
Not really. I still follow their work diligently, which I love and respect above all else, but I try to leave my own creativity to my demons and I don't want to be influenced by anyone. I try to find my own flows and my own letters. There are too many copycats and pumpers at the moment who spend their time slapping the same projects as their masters or idols. It's getting very sad with the lack of originality, the lack of personality. I think the best way is to show the guys that they have to get their fingers out of their asses. We didn't invent writing, but there is room for innovation and that's what I'm trying to do!
How do you choose the typeface when you work on a piece?
It is done by taking into account the references brought by my client. He shows me several of my typefaces or compositions, and then I adapt to his personality, to the power of the text or the word in question. That's why I only work free-hand. I try to adapt as best I can while capturing the personality of my client! But I'm very lucky to have an incredible clientele who give me carte blanche, from the choice of typeface to the final composition! It is also thanks to them that I am where I am today, thanks to the total trust they give me. I have so much fun with my work. I don't count my hours, whether it's during the day, on Sundays or at night, I'm always hot!
I have the impression that today the graphics have taken over the message of the tattoos. According to you, is it still important that the tattoos remain readable?
Yes, the graphics have taken precedence over the reading. If you want it to be readable it will be, but if not, it won't be. The graphic side allows a lot of freedom in the shape and placement of the letters, which I really like. But above all, what I like is that the graphic side stands out more than the message.
You like to experiment, to extend the letters to large compositions - applicable to body suits for example. Do you draw inspiration from other worlds to fuel these kinds of ideas?
More and more, I like to explode the letters in a disproportionate way and with improbable placements. For this, I look a lot at the Japanese masters, I'm a big fan of their body suits, placements and compositions. There is something in the Japanese style that inspires me a lot, in terms of the shapes and the dynamics of the tattoo. I am also very lucky to work with Mr. LUCAS SOUMILLE (@ls_tattoo ), who is for me the best French artist in the Japanese style of his generation. He motivates me and gives me the strength to slam down furious projects. I'm also lucky enough to spend time with a lot of people in the industry who inspire me a lot, no matter what their style is. The human side of things is also an important source of inspiration. The good times spent together over a drink, a good meal or a big drink are precious!
In your art practice, what other mediums do you like to express yourself in?
Anything goes! Dedication to my Family, my wife and my children who have supported me since the beginning. Dedication to my Krew : Born 2 Script , Criminal Lettering , without whom I would not be where I am today ; to my brothers always present in the good and the best moments, those of doubt as well as questioning. To my brothers who left too soon. + IG : @peku_quentin
