Feature: Tattoo craze grips Cuba

          Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 04:26:59|Editor: Mu Xuequan
          Video PlayerClose

          by Raul Menchaca

          HAVANA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- No longer a social stigma associated with prisoners and other marginalized people, tattoos have gained popularity in Cuba, as a visit to the island's first professional tattoo studio shows.

          Founded four years ago in the heart of Old Havana by tattoo artist Leo Canosa, La Marca (The Brand) aims to elevate tattooing to a high art form.

          "Our goal is to try to make people see that tattooing is just another form of artistic expression. The only difference is that instead of canvas or paper, the art is placed on the skin," Canosa told Xinhua as he tattooed a butterfly on a young woman's ankle.

          Almost all the tattoo artists at La Marca graduated from art schools, so they can create unique tailored designs without resorting to catalogs.

          At Cuba's first tattoo festival recently, David Lopez, who works at the studio, won first prize in the "American Old School" category, "a very simple style with solid lines, simple color solutions and a very primitive chiaroscuro."

          Canosa and his wife opened the studio at their home when government reforms encouraged the establishment of small businesses.

          A steep spiral staircase leads to the second floor of the studio, where three black-leather folding chairs accommodate clients and music plays in the background, from hard rock to traditional Cuban "sones."

          "Designs that reflect Cuban identity are the most popular," said Canosa, who is recognized as a disciple of famed Canadian tattoo artist John "The Dutchman" Van'T Hullenaar.

          Canosa drew his first tattoo in 1995 on the right shoulder of his uncle, the late renowned Cuban painter Vicente Rodriguez Bonachea.

          Today, that design serves as the logo of La Marca, which has drawn personalities such as Mexican tattoo artist Dr. Lakra and Catalan photojournalist Edu Bayer, who exhibited his collection "Marcados."

          Currently, young Mexican artist Jeannine Santana is working at La Marca, exchanging trade secrets and techniques with her Cuban colleagues.

          The tattoo artists have had to overcome a lack of materials in the country by buying them abroad or importing them under strict customs regulations, which raises the studio's costs, though prices in Cuba are generally lower than elsewhere.

          Tattoos are equally popular among men and women, said Canosa, who is preparing to attend a tattoo convention in central Mexico with his team. They plan to showcase their designs there as they have in other cites, from Las Vegas to Miami, Vancouver and Toronto.

          La Marca promotes more than just tattoos. Four times a year, the studio organizes design, photography or painting exhibits, drawing tattoos at the openings that have been conceived by recognized Cuban authors.

          Its founders also offer children in the neighborhood workshops on art appreciation, lectures on recycling and even math classes for those lagging behind in school.

          Though small, the business aspires to make a large contribution to the local community.

          TOP STORIES
          EDITOR’S CHOICE
          MOST VIEWED
          EXPLORE XINHUANET
          010020070750000000000000011105091375348891
          无码人妻一区二区三区四区av_亚洲精品911在线永久观看_精品一区二区国产在线观看_日韩不卡一区二区视频在线

                  日本久久丝袜综合网 | 亚洲AV综合AⅤ国产AV综合 | 伊人久久大香线蕉综合AⅤ 综合激情久久综合激情 | 日本在线精品视频观看 | 在线观看片a免费不卡观看 欧美人与动甡交欧美精品 日韩一级精品亚洲一区二区精品 | 日韩经典亚洲一区二区三区 |