Tembisa tattoo artist helps preserve memories

Youth culture has become a society on its own with modern values, norms and unique practices to express themselves.

While other young people use graffiti art in rebelling against popular beliefs and venting their frustrations, Melusi Sithole (27) opted to be a tattooist who captures beautiful memories of this modern culture.

This tattoo artist began running a business called Ink Patio in 2018 while he was still working as an architect.

“The reason I got into tattoo art is because growing up I practised and loved fine arts.

“Initially I had a fear of getting a tattoo myself, but when I finally got one, I became inspired to be a tattoo artist.

“Therefore, I decided to use my architecture and fine-arts skills in my new venture as a tattoo artist.

“I asked a tattooist in Pretoria to become my mentor because there is no school that teaches tattoo art.

“Aspiring tattoo artists need someone with the skill to mentor and monitor them,” said Sithole.

When Sithole was retrenched as an architect, he decided to do tattoos for a living and created a mobile studio to offer his services at entertainment events.

He said the challenge of getting into the tattoo business is that you are working on sensitive skins; therefore, clients’ trust needs to be earned because mistakes cannot be erased.

“Getting a mentor was a challenge because tattoo artists are always busy and have no time to teach others.

“Also, getting someone to let you draw on their body as a first-timer is difficult.

“While I was still under my mentorship, I had to practise on my family,” Sithole explained.

Sithole said for one to get into the business, they need to set up a proper studio and acquire professional equipment.

“Raising capital for those requirements is rather difficult, but I was retrenched early this year and I used some of the money to build a pop-up shop.

“It is currently difficult to make a reasonable profit, but I still continue raising more capital to grow the business and attract more clients,” said Sithole.

He said marketing is very important and he is appealing to the government to support entrepreneurs who are striving to develop the township economy.

“My advice to someone who wants to get into this business is that they need to love the art and be passionate about what they do.

“Get a mentor for at least a year and then start getting into the business,” said the former Masisebenze Comprehensive School learner.

Sithole said Ink Patio is open to mentor interested youth and they can find Ink Patio on Facebook.