Cara Delevingne’s tattooist Brian Woo on what inspires him and drives him
Artist known as Dr Woo, who has inked everyone from Miley Cyrus to Emilia Clarke, showing images of some of his favourite tattoos at exhibition in Hong Kong
Once associated with convicts, sailors and gangsters, tattoos have in recent years evolved into a mainstream accessory. Helping to lead the way is Brian Woo, a Los Angeles-based tattoo artist known as Dr Woo.
Hailed as the most in-demand artist in the world, Woo is known for his single-needle tattoos in black and grey. In comparison to more traditional tattoo forms, Woo’s are incredibly fine, done as if by a fine mechanical pencil. The style is instantly recognisable for its graceful quality – eschewing bolder visual statements for lighter, smaller and more subtle forms.
It is this level of precision that has drawn celebrities to his studio, including G-Dragon, Edison Chen Koon-hei and Zoe Kravitz. Such is the hype that there is a waiting list of a year.
Woo is looking to translate his brand into one-off projects and product releases. They include his collaboration late last year with furniture brand Modernica where he designed a fibreglass chair, as well as a sunglasses collaboration with Thierry Lasry which was released in March this year.
“I’ve always been interested in sign painting and calligraphy. They are timeless in design and a true craft using art to put food on the table. I’m also inspired by the painter Noah Davis, fashion designer Hedi Slimane, the new creative direction of Gucci, Dries van Noten and Matthew Williams.”
“I decided to work in fashion, because I was young and spontaneous, and discipline was so daunting. So I felt it was better to have some real life experience.”
Six years later, and still struggling to make a living, he gave up. He eventually caught the eye of tattoo artist, Mark Mahoney of Shamrock Social Club, who offered him an apprenticeship.
Woo explains: “I was so honoured to be asked by Mark. I think that he saw that we had similar interests in art and fashion, and that maybe I would bring that aesthetic to the shop.”
“Mark taught me that you have to work hard for what you want, and nothing comes for free. He taught me to be a good family man and be accountable for myself. This is on top of all the priceless tattoo skills I learnt.”
One of Woo’s most meaningful tattoos was inked by Mahoney himself, a portrait of his grandfather on his forearm. Mahoney’s influence on Woo is profound, as it was his fine-line tattoos that gave Woo the impetus to learn single-needle tattooing.
Woo now has 1.1 million followers on Instagram, who read his daily updates of family, travel adventures and tattoos.
“I never feel like I’m where I want to be – there is more to conquer and work to be done. That is what fuels me, to strive to be bigger and better,” Woo says.
