‘Get Inked’ at Café Live n Loud

GANGTOK, 07 Nov: ‘Get Inked’ by Sikkimese tattoo artist Mik Lepcha at the tattoo and painting exhibition underway in the capital. The ten-day exhibition is the first of its kind being held here in the state.
The exhibition began at Chullah restaurant near Krishi Bhawan, Tadong from 01-04 November and then at YOLO at SNOD Complex from 05-07 November. The exhibition has now moved to Café Live n Loud on Tibet Road.
Mik who hails from Namchi in South Sikkim is currently based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He is back in the state for a short while to exhibit his talents and promote the art of tattooing here.
Pema C Bhutia who is the organizer of the ‘Get Inked’ event and also one of Mik’s clients says, “I wanted to do this event because he is one of the most promising talents Sikkim has to offer. It is high time we support our own local talents and appreciate them. We have to understand that a government job is not everything. Why can’t we turn our creative talent like Mik into a profession and earn a good living out of it”.
Setting up a tattoo studio in Sikkim is next to impossible as the concerned agencies do not issue license to run such establishments, it is informed. This is the reason why Mik moved to Nepal.
“Tattooing license is allowed everywhere in India except Sikkim. It is even allowed in neighbouring Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kalimpong and Kolkata. People here think that tattooed people are all drug addicts or alcoholic. It is high time people changed their mindsets. We are living in the 21st Century after all”, says Mik.
The organizer, Pema C Bhutia informs that a low scale private event is allowed so they are hosting the event in that manner. “I request the government to help and foster our local talents and set rules and regulations where people can get license to open up tattoo studios which might also help tourism here. And people would not need to travel to anywhere else to get a tattoo”, she added.
Mik’s first client today was Rinchen Thendup who was impressed with the tattoo he got, ‘Yabdud’ a local deity on his left shoulder.
“This is my first tattoo and I thought it would be very painful but it was not like that at all. The only thing you need to have is patience to wait for hours to get the tattoo completed. I saw photographs of his work on Facebook and I was quite impressed. From now onwards I will go to him first if I want another tattoo,” he added.
Mik does traditional, tribal, old school, realistic, dot works, portrait, new school etc types of tattoo & paintings.  His tattoo idols are Bob Tyrrell from US, Kate Von De from California, Nikko Hurtado from US and Mohan Gurung from Nepal. Although the price of a tattoo depends on the design and duration of the work Mik usually charges his clients Rs 2000 per hour.
Anybody interested in getting a tattoo from Mik can go to his Facebook page ‘Mik Ink’ or contact 7872062340.
[fotos and text BISHAL CINTURY]

MikInk has designs for you

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: “Tattoos are the only thing that you take to your grave and having tattoos does not make you delinquent or a thug. Basically, tattooing is an art form practiced by many religions and communities across the globe. And since art is about self expression and creativity, there is no better way to express yourself than through ink,” holds forth Michen Lepcha, a 24 year old from Namchi who took his passion for art to the next level by becoming among the first from the region to take up tattooing as a profession. He goes by the call sign, MikInk.
Michen is now creating waves amongst the youth in Sikkim with enquiries about his first open tattoo and painting exhibition to be held at Chullah Karaoke Bar & Restaurant Tadong from 01 to 05 November and at YOLO [You Only Live Once] at Deorali from 05 to 07 November.
NOW! caught up with the artist who is currently working in a studio in Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal and is all excited about his first major splash here in Sikkim.
NOW!: What has the response been like since you announced the dates for the exhibition cum studio and what do you think about the tattoo scenario here?
Mik Ink: In Sikkim initially it was a bit difficult but due to television shows like L.A Ink and Miami Ink, people at some point of time started understanding and respecting the art of a tattooist or getting tattooed themselves. Sikkim youth especially now, are embracing this art.

What has been your inspiration and where do you rank yourself as an artist?
My inspiration has always been driven by my love for nature and at times it basically happens according to my mood and trying new art and designs have always challenged me till now. I’ve always been engaged in art since my childhood and was always encouraged and motivated with the people around me. And tattooing showed me an insight to the perfect art that i could pursue for my future and thanks to my family for always believing in me and supporting me. If i had to categorize myself i would grade myself C, because i believe the best is yet to be achieved.

Does the taboo associated with body art discourage you as an artist? Can you make a successful living out of tattooing??
Yes, there were times when people told me that what I was doing was pretty stupid but these days the culture of tattooing is being embraced in India, we might be moving at a tortoise pace but it has definitely been making an impact on the Indian society with even Bollywood backing this trend. However, If we take Sikkim’s take on this then, there is hardly any opportunities right now but in rest of India, places like Delhi,Mumbai,Pune,Kolkota,Goa etc has a lot of opportunities,there are tattoo studios everywhere in these places and Conventions are always held, where Indian tattoo artists get to come together and showcase their talents.

What is your message to the aspiring tattoo artists from the region?
For aspiring tattoo artists I would advise them to be honest, to use their own creativity, make sure one uses proper equipments, be hygenic, dont use copyright and never to give wrong notion about tattoos. Respect all. Advice for people who wants to be inked be an adult first, to decide what you want in your own canvas.

[Those who want to make appointments or have any enquiries about MikInk can email at pema20111985@yahoo.com or contact: +919593985444]