Nakkab is a tattoo artist from Istanbul, Turkey.
Over the years, he has perfected a unique signature style of translating traditional Turkish marble painting into the world of tattooing.
You can check out a video about his incredible work process here.
Join us for a talk about the beauty of tradition and the possibilities of innovation.
When did you begin tattooing and how did tattooing become a part of your life?
I started tattooing in 2015. I was fresh out of high school and hopelessly working at a random office job that I disliked to my bones… Eventually, I encouraged myself to put an end to those days and bought a tattoo machine.
A few months later I started at a studio as an apprentice. I was not surrounded by artists while I was growing up, so I decided to study fine arts.
I started taking drawing classes to prepare for the talent exams for the university. Meanwhile, I was tattooing my first clients.
I finally got accepted from Turkey’s most renowned French school fine arts academy, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, in 2016. There I met so many creative individuals and professors who have enlightened me.
With that inspiration and experience I gained in the field of arts, I found the courage to start my studies all over again at another university in 2018; Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts.
I knew that studying at a well-established “Bauhaus school” with a contemporary approach rather than an old-fashioned “French school” would enlarge my vision of today’s art & design scene.
Throughout my studies, I have always tattooed and experimented in design, worked in different tattoo studios in Istanbul’s hotspots like Bağdat Caddesi and Beşiktaş, and made the name NAKKAB the leading abstract tattoo artist in Turkey.
What are your biggest artistic inspirations?
My inspirations come from everyday life.
Sometimes it’s a pillow mark on somebody’s arm, sometimes it’s a scar, a broken glass… But my main source of artistic inspiration is fashion design, especially bodysuits and wearable objects.
I am fascinated by human anatomy itself, the muscle and bone structure is a visual poem to me.
When something aligns with it, I feel a great sense of joy. That’s what I am trying to emphasize in my tattooing language.
Can you tell us more about your unique technique? What is the history behind it?
My technique, Sernakkab, comes from Ottoman paper marbling artists even though its roots date back to ancient China.
Like many other things, the art of paper marbling follows the direction of the Silk Road as it evolves but Ottoman artists are the ones who adopt this art form in a glamorous way.
They even use it as a form of security and authentication of important papers in diplomacy! With its higher aesthetic value, the concepts such as elegance and beauty reflect Ottomans cultural richness and sophistication.
My artist name was already chosen in 2017 as “Nakkab”, coming from Ottoman Turkish language, which means “driller”. Because the word “nakkaş” means “artist” and I literally drill to make art…
After I encountered traditional Turkish marbling and created my unique process, I named it “Sernakkab”. The word “ser” means “upper starting point, the head of something”. I believe in the power of words and what they stand for.
How did you get in touch with this tradition?
Well, to begin with, I am from Istanbul. It has always been a subject in our history lessons as I grew up.
At the university, we had a class called “Traditional Turkish Arts”. That’s when I decided to dive deep into marbling art.
And when I started to make my own designs, I finally came to realize that I could integrate traditional marbling into my contemporary works.
When did you realize you could make tattoos in this style?
It was around 2019-2020. I even took the liberty of submitting my first Sernakkab work as a final project in our “Material Painting” class.
My professors not only loved the idea but also encouraged me and provided constructive opinions about my designs.
Those were the first days that I started watching videos, practicing, and asking tons of questions to actual marbling artists in Turkey.
How is the translation of an ancient tradition to a modern technique such as tattooing?
To me, anything visually pleasing can be used as a medium for creating tattoo design.
When I first had the idea of making tattoos using traditional marbling, I hadn’t thought about its historical aspect and what it represents. It was just a spark of an idea that I found extremely aesthetic and crafty for my style.
At the end of the day, I was transferring a surface design to a human body. But as I got deeper into it, researching the history and educating myself in traditional marbling techniques, I felt more connected to the “ancient” in it.
I felt the past, the culture, the street more. I felt the essence of Istanbul more.
Every day I appreciate the rich history and culture we have at home. Having this stance as an artist and sharing it with the world is fulfilling.
What do you still want to achieve in tattooing?
So far I have had the chance to participate in contemporary art exhibitions and tattooing events, and visited prominent tattoo studios such as Vaders.Dye when I was in Hamburg.
Last year I also hosted a workshop about my Sernakkab works at Deichtorhallen Hamburg, recognized as one of the most significant contemporary art venues in Germany.
I want to engage in more events like these and introduce more people to my work. Through tattooing, I am also seeking collaborations with my favorite fashion and 3D designers.
Do you have any tips for those just starting out in the world of tattooing?
The newcomers who want to be tattoo artists should definitely focus on being creative.
To some extent, I believe it is okay to just tattoo whatever people ask for you to tattoo. But building a deeper connection to the “job” and making it a part of yourself comes from doing it for your own satisfaction.
Technique, you can learn on the go. Learning never ends anyway. But “creating”, making something that is never seen before would make you feel more motivated to keep going.
It is a demanding craft that requires a lot of patience and it’s easier to be patient with something you love!
What message would you like to send to your future clients?
I started keeping a guest book in August 2022.
At the end of our session, my clients can write anything on it, and everyone has a page only for themselves!
It’s the most precious item of my tattooing career, and, to be honest, some of them are really creative!
But hey, if you are reading here, this is your sign to be prepared!!! I switched to the second book last week; it’s fresh and waiting for you!
Follow Nakkab’s Instagram for more updates on his incredible work.
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