This summer I was at the Vietnam Tattoo Expo in Hanoi, where I had the pleasure to meet one of the international tattoo artists attending the convention: Boun Cang. He was a very charming and friendly guy and, above all, a great tattoo artist who specialized in realism work. We had the time to hang out, and we even did a little tour in Hanoi, visiting some interesting places like the War Museum and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. While having a few cold beers to ease the tropical heat, we also had long chats where he told me a bit more about his interesting life and journey in the tattoo world.
Hi Boun, For the readers who are not familiar with you, can you give us a brief introduction to yourself?
I am a 37-year-old tattoo artist, and I live in Lyon, a great city in the south of France.
How & when did you start tattooing?
I started tattooing in 2013. I once had a friend who was a tattooist who agreed to teach me the basics of tattooing. I did a classic apprenticeship.
What’s your definition of art?
For me, “art” is the representation and combination of beauty, sensitivity, and curiosity.
How would you define your tattoo style?
My tattoo style is realistic. Combining various aspects of “personal emotions” or “family stories” or various elements such as “famous movies”, “countries”, “animals,” etc.
What kind of approach do you have with your customers?
My approach with customers is to work on a 50/50 basis. They give me their ideas, and I show them my vision. It’s like real teamwork. I always work directly on the D day in the morning with my customers. When the composition is done, and we are both satisfied with it, I start the tattoo, and I usually do long, 7-hour sessions.
What kind of tattoos or projects do you really enjoy doing at conventions?
At conventions, I really like to do big projects, usually lasting 2 days, with the same person. We chose a realistic theme together. And we start two long sessions of about 8 hours each.
What kind of tattoos do you hate doing at conventions?
At conventions, I don’t accept doing anything else than my “realistic style.”
Do you think you make better tattoos at the studio or at a tattoo convention?
At the studio or at the convention, it’s the same for me. In both cases, I will always do my very best.
Do you remember the first tattoo convention you worked at?
Yes, my first tattoo convention was a big one in Toulouse, France. The level of the artists was very high, and the show was very nice.
Did you ever win any contest prizes so far?
Yes, I won first place in “full leg/arm” at Lyon in February 2018, and recently I won 3rd place in Best of Show at the Salon Internationale de Tatouage de Grenoble in September 2018.
Which contest prize are you the most proud of?
The one I am most proud of is 1st place in Lyon, with a full leg in “Lugdunum Composition” (about 50 hours of tattooing) representing the story of my city, Lyon. This leg became famous as it got the attention of a TV reporter, who broadcast the finished work on national French TV.
Which tattoo convention would you really like to go to?
On top of my list is the Venice Tattoo Convention as I have never had the opportunity to participate yet. It’s my favorite because I know that there are not that many tattoo artists, but they are all among the best tattooists in the world. It’s like a small tattoo convention between the dream team of badasses in the world and Venice, which is my favorite city. I love Italian art.
What’s your number one reason to attend a tattoo convention?
Mainly to make myself more known to other tattoo artists and to all tattoo lovers. But even more important for me is to meet and discover nice people.
How many tattoo conventions do you visit every year?
I work at four or five tattoo conventions a year.
What’s your most memorable tattoo convention?
The last Hanoi Tattoo Convention in July 2018, and I met very nice people who became friends. And because it was my first time in Asia and in Vietnam. I only have good memories.
In terms of convention organization, what’s for you the most important aspect?
The most important aspect is to supply tattoo artists with all they need to properly be able to do their work: photocopiers, strong WiFi, enough tables and chairs, a work station, good lighting, etc.!
What’s the most annoying side of a tattoo convention?
When there is so much noise and the sound from concerts or speakers is too high.
What are the next tattoo conventions you are going to attend?
My next conventions will be the Halloween Tattoo Convention in Lyon on the 3rd & 4th of November 2019. More to confirm.
Do you do any collaboration tattoos?
I will do a tattoo collaboration with two very talented artists from Portugal and Brazil at the Urban Tattoo Show Aveyron in February 2019.
Who are the people you admire the most in this industry?
There are so many people I really admire in this world. And I get to know even more when I travel to other conventions abroad. For example, this summer, during my trip to Vietnam, I admired the work of Vietnamese tattoo artists in the realistic style of Quang Pham. And other Asian tattooists like Josh Lin, Orient Ching, Ata Ink, Ann Savage and many more. I was amazed by the really high level of tattoo artists in Asia.
What are your favorite inks?
World Famous Tattoo Ink
What are your favorite machines?
Cheyenne Hawk Pen and Sol Nova.
What after-care product would you recommend?
Tattoo Fix Care
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
There are so many badass tattoo artists in the world! Travel as much as you can to get to know them. It’s really worth it.
Boun Tattoo Studio
Salon de Tatouage et Piercing
6 Avenue Félix faure
69007 Lyon,
France
Tel: +33 (0)952 868610
www.boun-tattoo.com
One of the best ways to pass the time is to browse through the plethora of online tattoo shops. With a little forethought, you can scour the best of the best, all while avoiding the dreaded shady tattoo parlors. Hopefully, you’ll get lucky and find one that isn’t so tawdry.