#088: Rhys Gordon | The Evolution of Tattooing ... Street Shops to Social Media

Join us as we sit down with Australian tattoo legend Rhys Gordon, best known for his Japanese work and timeless full-body suits. Rhys has been tattooing since the early ‘90s, coming up through old-school street shops before founding Little Tokyo and becoming one of the most respected names in Japanese-inspired tattooing. We talk about how styles have evolved over the decades, which “old” looks are making a comeback, and much more about the ink.

Rhys opens up about the relationship between artist and client... how spending hours, sometimes years, on big pieces turns the tattoo chair into something not far off a therapist’s couch. We dig into the stories, trust, and head noise that come out during long sessions, and how that space can help blokes process life, loss, identity and change. We also unpack how society’s perception of tattoos has shifted from “rough and tough” to a mainstream form of self-expression, and how social media has both helped and complicated the industry.

See more from Rhys: www.instagram.com/rhysgordon/