NYC based Tattooist Liorcifer makes the best of any convention he attends, no matter what - a fairly jovial outlook considering he is one of the leading artists specialising in the ‘dark side!’ At the Barcelona convention he is full of enthusiasm, mentioning that he has wanted to visit Europe to tattoo and tour for years but it’s been difficult thanks to European health and safety issues contrasting to the legislation of his native states. Now he’s here he can finally attend to all his fans out here who’ve been dying to get work from him for so very long!

He names his specialty as anything black and grey – devils, demons, macabre and dark-aura related art, “anything that makes you freak out!” He’s been drawn to his signature morbid style from a very young age and proclaims he’s very happy with the fact that he explored this side of himself instead of repressing it.

He’s influenced by fine art, the Renaissance art of Spain and Italy, “heavy creepy music” and the ink masters of the scene including Paul Booth to whom he was apprenticed for nearly seven years – his “main man, always has been, always will be.” He’s also got respect for Filip Leu, Stefan, Robert Hernandez, TinTin and Aitchison, anyone who proved you could do stuff on skin that had never been seen or done before.

Discussing the ‘line’ between tattoos and fine art, he proclaims “there never was a line!” – for this artist it’s a belief that whatever is done on Canvas can be done on skin, and the increasing exposure of the huge skill on the tattoo scene is magnificent. He points out that tattooing art is a far harder calling than simply painting or drawing on a two dimensional surface.

He’s also got a lot to say about the divided opinions between tattooists “selling out” and tattooists who have genuinely benefited from an increasing interest in getting ink, financially profiting and losing the traces of negativity long linked with tattoos. Liorcifer won’t give anyone the time of day if they think that they can just ‘jump straight in’ to the tattoo scene and grab a needle: in his opinion if you want genuine respect you’ve got to be immersed in the culture and full of love for the scene.

Liorcifer is well into an eclectic career path that has built his reputation up to hallowed levels; he’s done apprenticeships in Israel and the US, has had a partnership with the Ritean Family, and has achieved a solid international name for detail, passion and originality. He’s always in demand, and it’s a privilege to interview him and earn his parting blessing –

“We’ll see you in hell, tattoo.tv…!”

Find out more here: www.myspace.com/liorcifer666