From empowering inspiration within the family to realising his own dreams: Giovanni Trimarchi, a celebrated tattoo artist from Acireale, Sicily, has crafted a distinctive style that deeply reflects his journey and philosophy. Defined as Trimarchismo, his expression draws on classical art, particularly broken sculptures. Giovanni is fascinated by the beauty found in cracks and fractures, viewing them as metaphors for life’s wounds that can be transformed into something harmonious and strong. His tattoos emphasize light and shadow interplay, creating depth and dimensionality that embrace the body’s natural uniqueness.
Family plays a central role in Giovanni’s life and work. His studio Trimarchi Tattoo Studio, a joint family venture, feels like a testament to a strong bond and a source of inspiration that nurtures trust, support, and shared passion, enriching Giovanni’s connection to his craft and clients.
For readers who aren’t yet familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hello everyone, I’m Giovanni Trimarchi, a tattoo artist from Sicily, born in Acireale. I’m the eldest of four siblings, two of whom are also tattoo artists.
Where does your fascination with tattoos come from?
It all began thanks to my father. Since I was a child, our home was filled with tattoo magazines. I remember my father loved taking inspiration from them to create his own drawing boards using only a Bic pen. While flipping through those magazines, I started drawing small copies of tattoos on my friends’ skin with a pen. My father often told me I had a steady hand, maybe steady enough to become a tattoo artist.
However, at that time, my focus was on design and goldsmithing, as I was the son of a goldsmith craftsman. I studied at the Art Institute and later graduated with top marks in Design in Florence… Only to completely change direction afterwards.
How and when did you start tattooing?
It happened during a sleepless night after my first year of university. I started asking myself what I truly wanted to do with my life because I felt that university was taking me away from my primary passion: drawing. I couldn’t see myself working for a big brand unless it was for my father. So I recalled his words, and that night I searched online: “how to tattoo.” That was over 14 years ago. Information was scarce and mainly in English. Out of necessity, I learned some English, continued my studies, and once I returned to Sicily, my father helped me buy my first kit ordered from one of those tattoo magazines.
I still remember that moment vividly: I was in my father’s workshop, across from a butcher shop. I asked the butcher for a piece of pork skin to practice on. As soon as I started, under my father’s watchful eye, I immediately knew this was my path. It was love at first sight.
Where are you based?
My studio is in Acireale, Sicily, on Via Loreto Balatelle 208/D where I founded Trimarchi Tattoo Studio in 2017. Since then, it has become my home, the place where I can truly be myself, connect with people, and tell their stories through my art. I pay close attention to detail and like to take care of every aspect of my craft, even if that means being the first to open and the last to leave.
Over time, the studio has grown: Today, I work alongside my partner (also a tattoo artist), my brothers Giordano (26) and Giuliano (19), and my mother, who is our shop manager. My father and sister remain our biggest supporters.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Italy today?
In recent years, tattooing has evolved at an incredible pace. Social media, online courses, and access to high-quality materials and machines have made everything much more accessible. Today, motivated young people can learn the technical side quite quickly.
However, what truly makes a difference is human and artistic identity, something you can’t buy or easily teach. That can only be built over time, through experience, and life itself.
How would you define your tattoo style?
If you had asked me a few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to answer. Today, after a long introspective journey and many experiences, I’ve learned to understand myself. My artistic vision has matured through life, study, and self-taught exploration. It’s not only about art, it’s also about the man I’m becoming, a continuous search for identity. At its core, there’s always the same drive: transforming darkness into light, giving new beauty to what’s broken like a sculpture that withstands time. From this idea came my artistic philosophy, Trimarchismo. Every tattoo reflects this strength, a balance of light and contrast that tells a story of rebirth.
What kind of projects do you enjoy most?
I love projects that “fit” the body well, those that embrace its form with harmony. Together with my brother Giordano, we’ve taken this vision to several conventions: playing with light and shadow to create depth and tridimensionality, both fresh and healed.
What is your main source of inspiration?
My main inspiration is classical art, especially broken sculptures. I’m fascinated by the beauty of cracks and fractures; they remind me of life’s wounds that I try to rewrite and transform through tattooing.
This idea gave rise to my use of negative cuts, lines that interrupt the scene without destroying it. Instead, they enrich and harmonize the piece with the body’s flow.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
Nowadays, being technically good is no longer enough. A tattoo artist has to be a complete professional, an artist, communicator, marketer, videomaker, and entrepreneur. I personally manage my social media, video editing, marketing, and post-production, often after working more than seven hours a day. It’s exhausting, but it helps me grow and acquire new skills every day.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Without a doubt, the client’s reaction when they see the finished tattoo. But more than that, the moment I connect with them, understand their story, and become the medium through which it’s expressed. The trust they give me is my greatest reward, first as a person, then as an artist.
What’s your experience with tattoo conventions?
I focus mainly on my studio, so I don’t attend many conventions, but each time I do, it’s a valuable experience. They’re a way to step away from social media, meet people in person, connect with fellow artists and clients, and share my artistic vision.
Do you remember your first convention?
Yes, it was in Palermo, about ten years ago. The equipment wasn’t as advanced as today, but I remember the excitement and having my whole family there. It was a moment of great pride to finally participate as a tattoo artist in an event I had only attended as a spectator.
Why do you think conventions are important?
Conventions are an opportunity for growth and exchange. They allow artists to gain visibility, connect with others, and spread their vision. For me, they are also a way to share the philosophy of Trimarchismo and what it represents artistically.
What has been your favorite convention experience, and why?
Each convention holds a special memory. In Turin, for example, my brother and I both entered the Black and Grey contest and both won. In Rome, something unforgettable happened: the clients who were supposed to be tattooed got into an accident, so my mother volunteered as a model at the last minute! We designed the piece overnight and tattooed for three consecutive days, nearly winning “Best of Show.” From that experience came many collaborations and new victories, family memories as much as professional ones.
What advice would you give to someone starting a tattoo career?
Be determined. Only discipline, consistency, and passion lead to results, in tattooing as in life. Don’t start for money; start for love of the art. The financial reward will result from the value you create. And above all, never stop learning. Technique comes from study, but artistic identity is built through life experience.
Who are some artists you admire most in the tattoo world?
Years ago, I attended a seminar in Madrid just to watch Thomas Carli Jarlier work. I still consider him one of the most poetic artists in the world. My artistic vision has evolved since then, but I continue to respect his sensitivity deeply.
What do you consider your greatest achievement as a tattoo artist?
Believing in myself from day one, following my father’s advice, and honoring his sacrifices through hard work. Today, I’m proud to have built a business that involves my entire family, my mother as shop manager, my brothers as artists, and my partner by my side. My greatest satisfaction is sharing this dream and passion with them every day.
Do you practice any other art forms besides tattooing?
Yes, I’ve always loved pencil drawing, 3D design, and digital graphics, anything that begins as an idea and takes physical form.
What are your goals for the future?
In recent years, I’ve realized one of my dreams, founding the Trimarchi Tattoo Academy, a training hub within my studio. I keep it intentionally small to maintain a personal, human approach, teaching not just technique but also mindset and values. My goal is to help young artists believe in themselves and understand that success only comes through sacrifice. I dream of building a community rooted in art and growth, becoming a reference point for the next generation of tattoo artists.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you’ve made it to the last question, thank you sincerely for your time. I hope my story inspires anyone who wishes to embark on this journey into the world of tattooing and art, remembering that every mark, like in life, can become a form of rebirth.
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