The roots of American traditional tattooing are linked to a historical cultural exchange in Asia, according to Taiwan-born tattoo artist Jimmy Shy. Shy has tattooed for over 15 years between Taipei and Seattle. He notes that iconic tattoo imagery, including dragons, tigers and phoenixes, evolved in part from interactions between Western sailors and Asian tattooists during the mid-20th century. In this Zoom In Zoom Out episode, Bryn Thomas sits down with Shy to discuss how his artistic lineage and cultural identity continue to shape his approach to tattooing.
This hybrid style was shaped by pioneering artists like Pinky Yun, James Ho and Ricky Lo. Operating in major ports like Hong Kong during the Cold War, they inked foreign sailors on leave. The resulting artwork merged sailor tattoos like ships and Neptune with elements of classical Chinese design.
Today, Shy utilizes an extensive collection of vintage Hong Kong flash to build upon this lineage rather than strictly replicate it. Alongside street photographer Yuchang, Shy has also documented these traveling designs on Hong Kongers who were tattooed after foreign military bases closed and the troops left. While the historical flash serves as a foundation, Shy’s modern clients seek him out for a contemporary, personalized execution of a style born from cross-cultural interaction.
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