In the ever-evolving world of tattoo artistry, we are very excited to present to you today Zebastian Åckesten, better known in the industry as Zatan. With a style steeped in black and grey realism, where horror and romance intertwine, he brings raw emotion and soul to the skin, transforming the human body into a canvas of contrast, chaos, and beauty.
In this interview, we dive into the mind behind the machine to explore his journey, inspirations, challenges, and the philosophy that fuels his craft. Whether you’re a fellow artist, a collector, or just someone who appreciates the deeper meaning behind ink, this conversation with Zatan is one you won’t want to miss.
For readers who aren’t familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hey, I’m Zebastian Åckesten – aka Zatan. (Don’t ask me about the nickname… unless you want me to light you on fire.) I’m a tattoo artist from Sweden, and my work is all about contrast: good and evil, light and darkness, love and hate. That tension? That chaos? That’s where beauty lives. Because being human is messy, beautiful, brutal – all at once. That’s what my soul expresses through the needle – in black and grey realism, where horror meets romance. I don’t just tattoo skin, I tattoo the soul.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
I can’t take all the credit, art runs in the family. We’ve had painters going way back, so it’s always been in my blood. But tattooing really grabbed me the moment I discovered Robert Hernandez. His mix of realism and freehand absolutely blew me away. After that, I found legends like Victor Portugal, Jason Butcher, Josh Duffy, and Carlos Torres. That’s the kind of work that speaks to my soul.
How and when did you start tattooing?
My first real tattoo? It happened in my uncle’s kitchen when I was 19. It wasn’t perfect, but he wore it with his head held high and damn pride, that was back in 2009. After that, the journey kind of took on a life of its own. Two years later, in 2011, I opened my own studio.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Köping, a small town in Sweden.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Sweden these days?
Back in 2015, it was wild—super vibrant and full of energy. After COVID, it changed a bit. Not as crazy now, but I believe it’s slowly coming back. I’m hopeful.
How would you define your tattoo style?
It’s all about creating something that goes deeper than just ink. I want my tattoos to live with the person, like a story etched into the skin. Black and grey realism is my language, and through it, I tell the stories that words can’t reach.
What kind of tattoo projects do you enjoy most?
Big pieces, full backs and sleeves, give me the freedom to really do “my thing”. Sometimes I build from the client’s idea, other times it’s all mine. Then I let it bleed out through the needle. And the best part? Seeing their reaction when they look in the mirror. That moment says it all.
What inspires your work the most?
Nature; people; emotions; thoughts; sketches; other tattoo artists. All of it gets stirred together inside me, and sometimes I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with a new tattoo idea burning in my mind. Some of them are wild. Some are dark. But that’s what art is: honest; raw; brutal; and beautiful for exactly what it is.
What’s the most challenging part of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
The biggest challenge now? Staying true to my style while still evolving. Pushing boundaries. Growing. But never losing that raw core. I want every piece to feel like 100% me.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
Watching a client see their finished tattoo in the mirror— when they feel the story behind it. That’s the beautiful part. And then there’s the freedom… not just time, but life. Getting paid to create, that’s priceless.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
Always great people, good vibes, and inspiring artists doing amazing work. These conventions light my soul on fire. They push me to grow, to create, to stay hungry. They remind me why I started.
Do you remember your first tattoo convention?
Yeah, it was in Västerås, Sweden, back in 2012. I actually won “Best of Crazy.” The tattoo was wild, raw, and honest, just pure freedom. It was this pink rabbit… with a pussy mouth… and some carrots in the background.
What’s your main reason for attending conventions?
Being part of the “culture”. Meeting awesome people. Seeing and creating badass work. Getting inspired, and yeah, maybe even winning a trophy to hang on the wall. That’s just a bonus.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
Stockholm Ink Bash. It’s not the biggest convention out there, but the quality of the artists is insane. And the crew behind it? Solid as hell. Always a great vibe.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Two things: Instagram won’t pay your bills—real clients will. Be kind, talk to people, take care of them. Work, a lot. There’s no shortcut. You get good by doing the work.
Who are your biggest inspirations in the tattoo world?
Robert Hernandez
Carlos Torres
Jason Butcher
Victor Portugal
Josh Duffy
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
It’s about helping people. Painting their story on skin. Giving them something powerful they’ll carry for life, that’s what really counts. And yeah, freedom, not just the time; the life. Getting paid to create? That’s priceless. The awards? Sure, they’re fun… but mostly collect dust on the shelf. My cleaning lady (me) hates them.
Do you do other types of art besides tattooing?
Yes. I paint when I can: mostly oil, acrylic, and charcoal. I hope to have more time for it in the future. Right now, tattooing takes most of my energy.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
To do more conventions in countries I haven’t been to yet. And to dive deeper into painting again. I miss that part of the process.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
If you’re ever in Sweden, hit me up, let’s create something sick together. And remember, you’re only as good as your last piece, so stay hungry and keep pushing.
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