Gabry Scriba didn’t step into tattooing through a dramatic story, he simply grew up loving tattoos, starting with water-transfer tribals he picked up at the newsstand as a kid. Today, he leads his studio SCRIBATATTOOFAMILY and travels across Europe, creating a unique fusion of Samoan, Polynesian, and Maori influences blended with the worlds he grew up in: manga, videogames, horror, and mythology. In this interview, he reflects on the realities of the Italian tattoo scene, the evolution of his signature style “Scribalismo,” and the personal challenges that continue to shape his growth after nearly 20 years in the craft.
For readers who may not know you yet, how would you introduce yourself?
Hi everyone, I’m Gabry Scriba. I’ve been tattooing since 2005 and I’ve owned my studio, SCRIBATATTOOFAMILY, since 2012. I grew up surrounded by videogames, manga, anime, Marvel, and horror films. I studied at the Art High School in Lucca, and when I got my first tattoo at 15, it was love at first sight.
Where did your fascination for tattoos begin?
My first contact with tattoos was in middle school, when I used to buy temporary water-transfer tattoos from the newsstand and cover myself in them. After getting my first real tattoo, I tried tattooing apples for practice, but I stopped immediately — it was too early for me. Instead, I focused on buying tattoo magazines and tracing the designs of artists I admired. Most of those designs were tribal pieces.
How and when did you actually begin tattooing?
In February 2005, I became a full-time illustrator at the studio of the tattoo artist who did my first tattoo. In April of the same year, after passing a test on setting up a coil machine, I officially began my apprenticeship. That’s when my real training started.
I was drawing for the tattoo artist and learning how to manage every aspect of the shop: soldering needles, doing general cleaning, and everything in between. After hours, I practiced tattooing on apples, bananas, and oranges (synthetic skins didn’t exist yet). Occasionally, I filled in the black on some of his tattoos so I could get a feel for working on real skin.
In October 2005, I did my first tattoo. During the first few years, I tattooed about once a month, mostly tribal pieces and Gothic lettering.
In 2010, I opened my business license so I could spend three weeks a month in the studio and one week guesting around Italy to gain experience and improve.
Where are you based today?
SCRIBATATTOOFAMILY is located in Calcinaia, in the province of Pisa. I attend tattoo conventions in Italy and abroad. You can also find me guesting at Milano City Ink in Milan, Filippone Tattoo Studio in Aosta, Monster House in Lugano, and occasionally at El Bandido Tattoo in Las Palmas. In June, I worked in Shrewsbury, England, at Un1ty Tattoo. I also have upcoming plans to travel to Ireland, the United States, and Australia.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Italy today?
The tattoo world is always evolving and always will be, and it’s up to us to find our own happy place within it. In Italy, things have changed a lot, and social media has played a major role in that change. From what I’ve experienced, many values and traditions have been lost over the years. Many people now enter this world not out of passion or lifestyle, but because they want to become rock stars.
It has become a race to be better than others instead of focusing on improving oneself. Many aspiring tattoo artists want everything immediately, without sacrifices. Some cannot even draw, and tattoo schools often make things worse with their teaching methods.
Many conventions and even some clients choose artists based on follower count or the celebrities they’ve tattooed. There should be more regulations and a training path focused on quality, not quantity.
However, I also see many young artists approaching tattooing with genuine passion and dedication, so I’m optimistic about the future of the craft.
How would you define your tattoo style?
Over the years, my style has evolved a lot. Starting from the basics and becoming increasingly passionate about tribal tattooing, I learned to use the ornamental elements of tribal cultures — Samoan, Polynesian, Maori, and others — to represent everything that inspires me. As a joke, I combined the word “tribalism” with my name, Scriba, and that’s how Scribalismo was born.
What types of tattoo projects do you enjoy the most?
I’ve always tattooed and loved creating tribal pieces. In recent years, I’ve become passionate about dotwork, which allows me to make my designs more dynamic and three-dimensional. I particularly enjoy tattooing Egyptian deities or figures from other cultures — anything figurative, really.
Lately, I’ve also been tattooing many subjects from the “nerd world,” including horror film characters, videogames, and manga/anime. I’m also developing projects inspired by Japanese tattooing.
What inspires your tattoo designs the most?
My main inspiration is always the client. Starting from their initial idea, I create a design that reflects their personality while making sure the tattoo is harmonious and functional on their body, like armor or a custom-fitted garment. Another source of inspiration is everything around me, viewed through a tribal lens. Recently, I’ve been studying ways to incorporate Egyptian and esoteric ornaments into my tattoos. For nerd-themed pieces, I try to stay as faithful as possible to the character’s story and universe.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
For me, it’s difficult to keep up with social media. It’s the main tool for promotion now while trying not to get so caught up in algorithms that I lose my identity.
But the most challenging aspect is the internal struggle I have with myself: The constant dissatisfaction with my own work. At the same time, I believe that this inner dissatisfaction fuels my desire to grow, improve, and push myself forward every day.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
Speaking egoistically, it is seeing the final result on the client’s skin. On a more emotional and less self-centered level, it is the journey and the lasting relationship that forms, especially during long multi-session projects such as bodysuits or full backs.
From the first consultation to the completion of the tattoo, a strong bond develops between me and the client. These sessions often change both of us for the better. Many of them become friends, not just clients.
Knowing that I have played an important role for someone, whether for a small piece or a large project,… all genuinely makes me happy. A tattooed person is a moving museum, carrying the artwork around the world. I love the idea of leaving a part of myself in each tattoo, so that I can in some way live through each experience that person has.
What has your experience been at tattoo conventions so far?
My experience at conventions has changed a lot over time. I still remember the first one I attended as a visitor, seeing artists from all over the world whom I had only known through magazines. Today, I can proudly say that I am now an active part of that world.
Do you remember the first tattoo convention you took part in?
I remember it fondly. It was in 2010, the Italian Tattoo Artist convention in Turin. A dream finally came true: I was no longer attending as a spectator but as a tattoo artist. I was surrounded by artists whom I had previously admired only from the audience.
What is the main reason to attend or participate in a tattoo convention?
Years ago, conventions were few and often invitation-only. Receiving an invitation email was a true honor. Participating in these events helped me become known both by the public and by colleagues I had only admired from afar. Professionally, tattoo contests were especially important because they allowed direct comparison with other artists. I would ask for advice, even from people I didn’t know, and that helped me grow.
Conventions also brought visibility, especially after winning awards. I was interviewed and published in industry magazines. The very magazines I used to buy at newsstands before becoming a tattoo artist. Clients, seeing those awards, gained more trust in me.
Meeting other artists also allowed me to travel throughout Italy and abroad, visiting their studios as a guest.
Do you have a favorite tattoo convention so far? Why?
It is impossible to name just one, because each of them has enriched my professional experience. However, some have been especially important: my first convention, the Florence Tattoo Convention, the Milano Tattoo Convention, and the Roma Tattoo Expo. For my tribal and ornamental style, the Ank Conventional Tattoo in Ancona has been particularly meaningful. One convention that gave me a lot, professionally and personally, even though I attended only as a spectator, was the London Tattoo Convention — unfortunately no longer held.
Today, the only event that has given me similar feelings is God of Ink in Frankfurt, which I also attended as a spectator.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Pursue this path only if you have true passion, and approach it with seriousness and professionalism. Work alongside tattoo artists or studios that can teach you the fundamentals needed to begin and eventually continue on your own.
Do not be influenced by social media — it makes everything look too easy. Behind every success there are sacrifices, travel, time spent drawing, books bought, and constant study.
Do not skip the basics or the technical foundations of every style. Mastery of fundamentals will help you find your own style in the future.
In a world where everything moves quickly, do not rush. Most importantly, respect both the past and the present, because those who came before us made it possible for us to have what we have today.
Who are the people you admire most within the tattoo community?
Alex Nardini, who was my first inspiration; Marco Galdo, who changed my life both professionally and personally when he welcomed me into his studio as a guest. In the tribal world, I particularly admire Hanumantra, Gakkin, Black Symmetry, Wawong, and Peste. For other styles, Simone Marchi and Shige and although he is not a tattoo artist, Miky Vialetto as well.
What is your greatest achievement as a tattoo artist?
My greatest achievement is having made my work recognizable within the tattoo world, and creating “Scribalismo,” the style that sets me apart from others.
Do you engage in other forms of art besides tattooing?
Yes. I enjoy painting on various surfaces and I draw a lot digitally. I am also passionate about horror makeup, which I have carried alongside tattooing for many years as a performer with my character “Inky Winky.” This has opened doors for me to work at Halloween events.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
To work more abroad, both as a guest and at tattoo conventions, and hopefully one day participate in God of Ink in Frankfurt. I want to take my style beyond Italy and introduce it to the world, leaving an indelible mark on the tattoo community.
Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?
I would like to thank everyone who has had the patience to read this far. I consider myself fortunate to have turned my passion into a profession and a lifestyle. It allows me to wake up with a smile, to meet many people, and to travel the world.
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