- Final tattooings, ephemeral tattoos, piercing, branding? For some
time, we have seen the resurgent, in our Western societies, these body
markings.Bruno de Pigalle, the forerunner. It was Bruno de Pigalle who
opened the first tattoo artist studio in Paris in 1963. The technique is
still artisanal, but Bruno is a "pro" who has made emulators.
- Bruno, first Parisian tattoo artist
Compagnon de Doisneau, pioneer of body art, Bruno is also the first tattoostor in Paris.
It
was in 1960 that Bruno opened the doors of the very first tattoo studio
in Paris. At the time, the discipline was still marginal, and France
lagged behind other more progressive countries. Bruno, like so many
others, fell into the tattoo by chance. On the occasion of a trip to
Holland, where many of the best tattoo artists of the time were racing,
he discovered body art, became passionate about this universe out of
nails and felt the urge to learn to tattoo. From thread to needle, he
comes into contact with Peter, Amsterdam. In the midst of the tattoo of
the 1960s, much less connected than it can be today, Peter is a kind of
legend. The current passes well between the two men and it is quite
naturally that one of the best tattoo artists of the time agrees to
train the young Bruno. Together, they travel around Europe and work in
semi-clandestineness. No EU, no Schengen, refoulements to the border and
the incessant combined are drawing back Bruno who would like to tattoo
in the open. He decided to base himself in Le Havre, relying on the port
vitality of the Norman city to bring him customers; but the cargo ships
landed there only a few hours to avoid paying French taxes. Bruno takes
his van, head to Boulevard de Clichy, in the XVIII arrondissement of
Paris, where he becomes the first tattoo artist. The neighborhood is
shady, populated by prostitutes, macros and little thugs. But he also
lives in solidarity and holds his own codes. Everything you need to make
Bruno feel good about it.
In 1960,
this profession was not one: obtaining the necessary papers to open a
tattoo shop is a real headache because the administration has never been
faced with this kind of demand. The clandestine adventure therefore
lasts for a few months. Finally, on October 6, 1960, the studio opened.
It is St. Bruno's Day. The tattoo artist's (first)name was found.
Fifty years of creation and influence: the best tattoo artist in Paris
The
tattoo artist’s tools are rudimentary at the time, the hygiene
conditions are not always ideal. But Bruno stands out from clandestine
tattoo artists and other counter artists by offering real artistic
vision and professional work. On forums, even today, testimonies arouse
happy nostalgic people who tell how the best tattoo artist in Paris
saved them from a tattoo missed by the grace of his needle in 1978, 1980
or 1984. Bruno is in a monopoly situation, but in practice customers
are rare. Associated with crime, thugs, tattooing does not attract
crowds; as for criminals, they avoid a place where they could
potentially be spotted. But talent eventually prevails, and the
candidates, at first timid, finally flock to the months and years.
"It
is that Bruno, in addition to his paw, also shines by his discretion;
the word is spreading that he is trustworthy and not inclined to
questions. So going home is about making sure that you are tattooed –
and well tattooed – but also not having to justify it. Progressive, not
loving to meddle in the affairs of others, Bruno seduced by his graphic
and human approach and helped popularize the tattoo in Paris.
With
success, Bruno makes a name for itself on the international stage. He
maintains contact with other tattooists he met in the time of his
travels with Peter; Bruno is multiplying the trips in Europe, the United
States or Asia to meet his peers. The best tattoo artist in Paris is at
the table of colleagues from all over the world to exchange techniques,
advice, methods or instruments. There is no such thing as conventions;
you have to organize everything yourself. Gradually, in favor of these
exchanges, his trait becomes more secure, more creative, more clever,
and his notoriety goes beyond the mere framework of tattooed persons and
thugs to interest artists. Bruno is a character; he also tattoos
celebrities. Doisneau visits him and takes a picture of his plays. They
go around the world, they create vocations. Bruno will even publish a
book: "Tattoués, who are you?" which will serve as a reference for a
generation to come. Beginning in the 1970s, tattoo studios began to
flower slowly in Paris.
A reference for the best Parisian tattoo artists
And
these new recruits turn to Bruno to train. He claims to have trained
300 or 400 tattoo artists during his years of operation. Because Bruno
finally retired at the turn of the 2000s, when he was 60, due to visual
disturbance. But his work continues to bloom, thanks to his heirs who
today make the sinful days of the tattoo in Paris and elsewhere. A
pioneer of a generation, Bruno initiated in a way this boom in the
tattoo that breaks out today and allows exceptional artists to express
themselves freely. France, despite a chronic delay, now has very
high-level tattoo artists, some of whom are known and recognized beyond
their mere circle. Among the best tattoo artists in Paris, artists such
as Dimitri HK, Tin-Tin, Stéphane Chaudesaigues or Laura Satana could
never have seen the light of day if Bruno had not unleashed everything.
Yet, and by Bruno’s own admission,
tattooing has evolved a great deal. Today, the artist can express
himself even more fully thanks to the new instruments and stronger
recognition. Bruno, on the other hand, regrets the time when the tattoo
was attached to a very strong and sometimes religious or mystical
symbolism, but recognizes the graphic quality of the work of today's
artists. For him, the profession has not changed; it has diversified.