Tattooer at the XXX Tattoos studio in Lucerne, Switzerland, Gian Andrea Signorell opens the doors to the passions that led him to this muscular and colourful style. A graphic design very influenced by European and American designers, but also by music, heavy metal in particular, and big cars.
How long have you been tattooing?
I started tattooing seventeen years ago.
How does it happen in your career ?
It’s going great so far. Tattooing has always brought me joy and challenges and provided everything I need to have a good life. I’m very grateful for that and will never take it for granted.
How did you look at tattooing at the time and how has it changed today ?
Tattooing has changed a lot over the years. It has become a big industry with lots of people that are trying to milk it as much as they possibly can. And if you ask me, I firmly believe that not everyone deserves to be in the circle! But nonetheless, tattooing still has almost the same magic to me as when I started it. I hope it’ll always be like that!
Your work is very much focused on illustration and comics.
Yes, you’re right. And I also like to refer to my style as ‘illustrative’ because I can’t and I don’t want to put my finger on a certain style. So it can be whatever which makes me kind of an allrounder as well. And then coming from heavy metal and skateboarding I was always very attracted to skin ripping gorey flamey skull action. I got into Iron Maiden when I was around eight years old, so all this happened kinda early in my life.
Great illustrators like Derek Riggs - the artist behind some of Iron Maiden's covers - have helped create fantastic graphic worlds around extreme music. What influence did they have on you?
I wouldn’t be the same illustrator if it wasn’t for Derek Riggs’ record covers! They made me dream of other worlds and universes and by doing that absolutely fueled my creativity. And even if I’m a pretty calm and nice guy, I mostly fantasize about darker worlds. I can’t tell you exactly what it is but darker and more mystical pictures always drew my eyes a tad more. That feeling you get, you know…
Are these illustrators more European and/or American?
Either way. From all sides. And as much as I like the seriousness of Paulo Serpieri (Italian comic drawer, ndr) or Frazetta, I always loved me some crazy fun stuff from Francisco Ibaneź for instance. The American side was dominated by artists such as Bernie Wrightson and Jim Philips. Hajime Sorayama’s work is from another planet and I think I don’t have to mention H.R. Giger.
You talked about heavy metal, what role did music play in your relationship with drawing?
Music always played a huge role in my life in general. But especially when I was drawing, it has always been the fuel for my mind and hands. A very very important form of art to me. I sometimes regret that I never really played an instrument but then again I can’t focus on too many things at once. I’d rather do less things and try to get good at them than do too many and half-ass them all.
Where does this relation have its roots, in heavy metal only? Also punk, hardcore, etc. ?
Well all of the above at first. And the older I’ve become the more open I got to a bigger variety of styles. Old and new prog rock, death metal, old rap and hip hop as well as blues, funk, jazz, hell even ballads … everything that’s been made with heart really
As a big Iron Maiden fan, what do you think of the last albums?
The band means a lot to me since I’m a little kid. My favorite records of them are the ones between 1980 and 1992 of course, and the newer ones are good but just can’t touch them. I am always finding myself listening to their old masterpieces. But I love how they’re still active, putting out records and still jumping around on stages like young men keeping it all alive! I had the pleasure to meet some of the members backstage just last year and they are as nice as you like. Im really glad that I have met my heroes and didn’t end up being disappointed!
Are you also interested in video games and skateboarding?
Yes, I played video games intensively when I was younger, neglected it a bit over the years but just recently picked it back up again. Not as intense as it once used to be but if I find time for it every now and then, it’s pretty cool. I also never looked at it as a waste of time because some of the games can be very inspiring! Always loved all sorts of fantasy games and racing. Just finished Ragnarøk, and Wreckfest is king at the moment hahaha. I used to skateboard for like fifteen years and even if I didn’t ride for years now the lifestyle still sort of remained in me. If I see someone flipping a board on the streets I just can’t look the other way.
You also venture into realism and engraving. Is it a way of not locking yourself into a style or a background of old-school culture when tattoo artists had to do everything?
I actually enjoy doing everything. Well, almost everything. And I am also very interested in trying to master a variety of styles. And to be honest my personal style isn’t necessarily the one that is being demanded very often. I was brought up as an allrounder and as long as I can make a living with sticking a needle into someone’s skin I am more that happy!
Rather colour or black and grey?
Both actually. All though black n gray seems the way to go for most people at the moment
Small or large pieces?
Also both. Starting and finishing a piece in one sitting and have the end result right away is just as satisfying as watching a big piece grow. I also like the different approaches to designing a small and a bigger piece. And as long as you have a cool customer in front of you that is open to your ideas I don’t really care if small or big.
You have recently extended your artistic practice to oil painting. What perspectives does this new medium open for you?
I actually started oil painting around ten years ago but I’ve never had enough time to really dive into it. When you start an oil painting you have to keep working on it or you will just forget how to move your brushes and the consistency of the paint and what not in a short time. And then a covid lock-down came along. The first time I actually had the chance to finally explore the medium for a couple weeks in a row and it was just like the first day of tattooing. An entire universe opened up in front of my eyes! Loved it! I’m trying to make more time for oil painting now than before, but it’s still difficult since it’s very time consuming. That is how the winter months look like for me…video games, snooker or oil painting… Decisions, decisions…
Let's talk about motor sports, you ride motorbikes on a circuit, you are a fan of beautiful cars. Life is a cocktail of strong sensations?
Ha! Yet another topic I could go on about forever! Bikes and cars are my big passion next to the things mentioned above. As a matter of fact I was a motorcycle mechanic before I started tattooing. But as opposed to some of my colleagues, I was never a ‘born’ mechanic though as a hobby it’s absolutely giving me peace of mind. I once came from racing supermotos and other stuff on racetracks and now it’s mostly happening on the road with two or three track visits every year to blow out the rust. I like my bikes to be fast and modern but when it comes to four wheels old American muscle cars are above all. Nothing beats a unnecessary big and loud V8! And the vibe of the 60's and 70's. + IG : @giantattooer https://www.xxxtattoo.com/ Zürichstr. 42, Lucerne Suisse
