From painting the streets of Chile to a career as an award-winning tattoo artist
How one Hull-based artist is leaving his stamp on the industry
Internationally renowned artist Niorkz Meniconi realised his passion for art by doing graffiti on the streets of his hometown in Chile, moving to the UK to turn his dreams into a career.
Now a co-owner of Hull’s Society Studios and one of our amazing Pro Team artists, Niorkz takes a look back on his journey and shares advice for any aspiring artists looking to break into the industry.
“My endless drawing and passion for graffiti led me to tattooing”
Born in Santiago Chile, Niorkz started exploring his artistic flair through graffiti at the age of 13. To pursue his dreams, Niorkz moved to the UK to study for a degree in Graphic Design.
Niorkz said: “I spent the early years honing my skills and perfecting my style. I started applying for industry apprenticeships in 2010 and applied for apprenticeships, but I didn’t become a full time artist until 2014.
“Thanks to my love for graffiti and graphic design experience, I quickly became known for my unique letterforms. Whilst I was establishing myself in the industry, developing a unique style definitely helped to build my career.”
“You can take inspiration from anywhere”
“In my work, I try to use a mixture of bold lines, textured shading to create a sense of flow and symmetry. Now, people look at my work and know that it’s been done by me, but it takes time and practice to find a niche of your own.
“Once you’ve discovered your style, look for inspiration everywhere. I take inspiration from graffiti and typography, but I believe it also finds you when you least expect it, whether it’s something on the street or whilst travelling and visiting new places.
“Social media is transforming the way artists work”
Believing this to be the biggest driver of industry change, Niorkz has gathered an impressive social media following of over 60 000 Instagram fans.
“Over the past decade, the biggest change in the industry has been the growth of social media. Now, artists can showcase their portfolio online, reaching prospective clients and fellow artists all over the world. Not only is this great for business and promotion, it’s led to a big increase of the artistic side of tattooing, and a greater appreciation of what we do. ”
“Never stop drawing and creating”
“For anyone wanting to break into the industry, the most important piece of advice I would give is to stay true to your roots whilst working hard to achieve your goals. Know what makes you special as an artist and use it to gain a competitive edge. Travel, experience new cultures and broaden your horizons to become better as an artist and don’t be afraid to try new things.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky that my career has taken me all over the world and allowed me to work alongside industry heavyweights. Working at the biggest and most renowned global industry conventions have been real highlights.
“I get to wake up every day and do what I love, work with great people and meet new clients everyday. If you’re an aspiring artist and want to break into the industry, be ready to put in the work, practice to perfect your craft and let your art do the talking.”
Follow Niorkz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niorkz/