Reduced price - was 98.00 EUR.

Photography: Fino Huang and Roxanne Yang

"Chinese Tattoo Art” is the world’s first comprehensive documentation of the art of tattooing in China and Taiwan. Its fascinating images exemplify the artful diversity of Chinese tattooing and its common motifs, which are largely inspired by ancient myths and legends. The meanings behind many of these motifs are explored in an illustrated chapter that delves into their symbolism, history and mythology. Chinese tattoo artists have outstandingly developed their own unique style and expression. Many of the tattooists presented in the book are also gifted draftsmen: their dynamic sketches of dragons, tigers, lotus blossoms, serpents, demons and so much more are inspiring.

The Chinese culture favors bright, vibrant, cheerful colors. This is also reflected in the masterful artworks by these tattooists. The preference for particular colors in China gives these creations their own special appeal. But Oriental tattooists are also masters of the “black and grey” style, which is often used in China, as it is in the West, for sinister visions of horror motifs as well as portraits. “Chinese Tattoo Art” is a weighty volume offering a grand overview and profound insight into tattooing in China and Taiwan, enabling professional tattooists around the world to expand their knowledge and spectrums of motifs, and inspiring future tattoos of collectors.

For anyone who is not yet familiar with the Edition Reuss series of tattoo books, they are some of the very finest publications on the subject around today. This latest volume focuses on ‘Traditional und Modern Styles of Chinese Tattoo Art’.

In the last few year China has burst onto the world tattoo scene and this collection showcases some of the major artists working there today. This country, which were once seen by the West as a nation of copiers, is now proving itself to be a land of imaginations and innovations when it comes to tattooing. The book documents the rise in popularity in modern tattooing in China and demonstrates the technical excellence and original artistic interpetations of modern classics as well as the many truly original designs to be found in Chinese tattooing today.

Following in Edition Reuss’ tradition of excellent production values Chinese Tattoo Art has nearly 500 pages of lush, rich colour photographs. It is printed on good quality stock paper and bound in a thick hardback cover. It features photographs from more than 35 artists (including more than 100 full-page backpieces), punctuated with several fascinating interviews. It also has detailed descriptions of many Chinese motifs, explaining the meanings behind such classic designs as dragons, tigers, lions, toads, unicorns, snakes, peonies and many more.

This book really is a stunning tome - a visual and interlectual delight - and comes highly recommended.

TOTAL TATTOO (United Kingdom)