Henry Hate of Prick Tattoo, London, is gearing up for an ambitious installation on the South Bank on February 9th whereby he will emblazon an ice cube with Japanese motifs as part of the launch campaign for the Nissan Cube - a Cube in a Cube, taking 8000 litres of water, filtered, and then frozen for 240 days. The designs inscribed by Mr. Hate will then be lit with a variety of lights to alter the mood of the finished piece and create a fleeting work of art. We managed to track Henry down and quiz him on this unusual project…
First of all, how are you? Have you been keeping well?
Things are ticking along well as I am reaching my 7th year based here in Shoreditch, and it’s taken a few curveballs and hard work to keep the flow going. I am happy here, and the shop is now expanded to three guys and all three floors of workspace. I cannot complain. I have a lot on my table with the work for the Nissan Cube, designing a toy for a friend’s company, upcoming art show, being a staff writer for a horror blog; then there are my clients who want my tattoo work. Henry has his hands in many pies. I'll rest when I am dead.
We’re intrigued by the whole concept of the sculpting/carving; can you explain the gist of this exhibit?
The whole theory is that tattoo artists tend to be left out in the cold when it comes to fine art, this is a challenge to make people realise that tattooing has been around a lot longer than say, a Chegal, or Rembrandt. Some tattooist would like to be considered as fine artists, but there seems to be an insular perspective from high art when it comes to tattoo artists. Think about it; a tattoo artist showing at say, The Guggenheim or Tate Britain would be badass, but it's a long shot. I had a discussion with a gallery owner whom I am pestering to give me a show. His response was that “fine art keeps to its own," and tattoo artists are not seen in the same light as say, Francis Bacon or Damien Hirst…although some act like it, even me. Luckily he's not said no. The skill of today’s artist, can now replicate fine art to fine form, yet we are not seen as ‘genuine artists’ in the realm of galleries and the ‘High Art’ crowd. Sculpture is a something that is subjective and can be viewed in many forms of art. Take Greyson Perry, who makes amazing work, and to the general viewer could be passed as simply a vase with dirty scribblings. I, however, am a huge fan of his. My ice sculpture aims to challenge the tattoo as an art form and showcase it not on skin, but on ice, for the first time ever. My tattoo design will be etched onto a large cubed ice sculpture, to celebrate the official launch of the Nissan Cube.
How did you become involved in the project? Did Nissan approach you?
I invited Nissan to sponsor my artwork. I know that they have worked with some impressive underground artists, especially with this Nissan Cube. The car is both loved and hated in equal measure, much like graffiti and tattooing. When Nissan did the Street Wars at the Cube Store, it sparked debate on the web and I therefore thought they would be interested in my artwork to spark debate. I am not complaining. Nissan liked my pitch and then it was given the green light, which has been really cool.
What is the nature of the tattoo motifs that you will be marking in the ice?
Basically I stayed with the Japanese theme: firstly as I am dealing with something that is made of water I wanted to stick with things that were really prevalent in Japanese tattooing, such as water, cherry blossoms, wind bars and of course, a dragon. The point is to make the viewer travel around the installation and take a journey with their eyes, feet and mind. I hope that with the lighting that the elements also place a mood to the piece, so that it's kind of like the viewer choosing what colours they want themselves for their own tattoo. Choice. The piece will be interactive and will change colour to highlight my design and the Cube inside the ice cube. This is pretty ambitious for me and I have a lot of help with this.
Can you tell us a little about the tools you are using for the job?
The cool part is that the piece will be using Japanese samurai chisels. Like tattoo needles, this will then be etched into the ice by using large stencils. I just hope I don't catch hypothermia or cut the shit out of myself.
Does the ‘Cube in a Cube’ installation feel like a step forward for tattooing? Could this be a sign of things to come with regards to tattooing becoming more integrated into the world of Fine Art?
Hell yeah. It does in some ways most definitely, baby steps. I would love to have at least a few places house my work. Although my fine art work is not tattoo-related, there are elements that I have kept to some degree, I can't think of any tattoo artist whom would not want to have their work recognised by a major gallery. Still it's hard to say, ‘cause even galleries are struggling with the current economic climate, but we can still try and break the barrier.
Is the semi-permanent state of your creation a paradox for you, seeing as you are used to creating tattoos that will last a lifetime?
I thought about that and had to think about it long and hard. To be honest, once I finish a piece on a client I let go, it's done. My canvas walks down the street, often forgetting about their tattoos on his/her daily rituals. It's the viewer who has the opinion and can appreciate the beauty, if only for a parting moment when they come into contact with someone whom is heavily tattooed. Kinda like watching a large butterfly pass you: you say, “Wow” and want to record it, even if you never see it again - you'll tell someone or simply show them the image. It's out there and I have to let go. When I do a sleeve or a portrait, I immerse myself in the piece and the client, yet when it's done, I have to let go. With the cube I am fully aware that it will melt and eventually become something of my past. There is something very Neo-Dada about that and I am comfortable with this. I will shut up now, ‘cause I am sounding like one of those arty-farty dorks I often make fun of.
And finally, will we see you at this year’s Tattoo Jam?
I will be there tattooing for sure, with the guys from my shop. Absolutely.
The Henry Hate Cube in a Cube at Potter’s Fields Park on the South Bank, London, can be seen from 8.30am on Tuesday 9th February. The ice sculpture will be in place for three days and is free to attend.