10 Questions with Yeseul Kim

Yeseul Kim, often known as Yerae, is a tattoo artist located in Seoul who specializes in floral and botanical designs. In 1989, Yerae was born on Jeju, the largest island in South Korea. Her interest in plants and flowers expanded substantially as a result of her upbringing near the ocean and in a natural setting. At the age of 13, she travelled to India, where she was impacted artistically by the country's vibrant visuals and culture. An important motif in Yerae's artwork is the multicolored blossoms that embrace and flow along the body. She attempts to represent one's lifecycle through her botanical tattoos by stating that flowers are analogous to one's life as everyone is born, grows up, spends their youth, experiences both good and bad times, ages, and returns to the earth. In the earliest stages, they are buds. It flowers, displays its beauty, encounters rain, storm, sunlight, and wind, and then withers as time passes. She strives to engrave the beauty of her client's life through flowers, and her works feature an abundance of colorful and vivacious hues that she uses to depict the vitality of life.

Using deeper and more bright colors enabled her to introduce herself to more coverup pieces, so increasing her talent's scope. Her coverup work yields far more striking effects with color, and she is able to challenge herself to achieve perfection in making the tattoos attractive so that her clients do not regret their decision.

Yerae has travelled abroad to perform her arts. Her most recent performance was in Leeds, United Kingdom, where she was chosen to participate in the 2022 Leeds Tattoo Expo. She was able to demonstrate how floral-themed tattoos may sprout on the body at this event.

Since she has already mastered extensive experience with floral tattoos, she will continue to focus on flowers and other natural elements in her work. However, she is currently working on larger pieces incorporating diverse aspects, such as animals and mythological creatures, such as dragons. She looks forward to where this new direction will take her.

@yerae_tt

ARTIST STATEMENT

In Yerae's tattoos, she examines how the many colors and forms of her flowers and plants flow throughout the body to convey and conceal her customers' identities.

She divides her works into three categories: vibrant floral pieces, birth flowers in relation to personal memories, and coverups. Floral and botanical pieces are meant to show how a person's lifetime parallels that of flowers and plants that bloom, wither, and die.

The purpose of birth flowers is to engrave her clients' loved ones in the form of flowers so that they may always remember their family, loves, and friends.

In contrast, she had spent a great deal of time studying how to make the coverup appear more natural by focusing on the details of the flowers.

Yerae is drawn to hope and love themes, drawing inspiration from her clients' life stories and the significance of their intended tattoos. Her compositions contain an array of hues.

INTERVIEW

You are a tattoo artist. How did you get interested in tattoos and when did you decide to turn it into your primary career?

Having worked as a professional tattooist for over three years now, I can confidently say that my passion for art has never wavered. Despite my family's emphasis on academic pursuits, I have been drawn to art since a young age. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend an art school, but my love for painting and art has never dwindled.
One day, I accompanied a friend to Seoul to get her first tattoo, and while watching the tattoo artist at work, I was completely enamored by the craft. The idea of drawing on someone's body was intriguing, and from that moment on, I decided to take tattooing classes and pursue a career as a tattoo artist. Over time, my tattoo style has evolved and has been heavily influenced by my artworks.

What studies help you develop into the artist you are today? 

As a hobby, I have always painted independently and without any formal art education from school. Despite majoring in International Relations and Political Science, which are unrelated to the art world, I found the subjects intriguing but knew I desired a career that would allow me to express my creativity. My study abroad experience instilled confidence in me to work internationally without any reservations.
To pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist, I invested a significant amount of time into taking private online classes in botanic art. While focusing on plants and flowers, I sometimes struggled to communicate my artistic vision clearly. However, after completing the training, my ability to draw and paint with precision greatly improved.
Three years ago, I had a life-changing experience when I decided to take a tattooing lesson. Although I had considered pursuing a career in illustration, I ultimately chose to take a tattooing class, which led me to become a professional tattoo artist today.

You have also travelled abroad to work and improve your art. What experiences help you further develop your work? 

I visited Leeds last summer and attended the Leeds tattoo convention. I was attending my first tattoo conference. My clients adored the three great works I completed at the event. This exhibition also increased the public's awareness of Korean tattoos. Everyone who stopped by my table during the convention was drawn to my distinctive tattoo style, and they expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for Korean tattoos. I am glad that people are taking a serious interest in and complimenting my tattoo style. Participating in such a large event is extremely beneficial to me because I am able to communicate with numerous tattoo artists from a variety of countries, share my tattoo experience with them, discuss the difficulties and solutions of working in the tattoo industry, and discuss various tattoo techniques. By tackling difficult coverup jobs, such as scar coverups and old tattoo coverups, I had opportunities to hone my ability to use deeper and more bright colors for larger projects.

You were born and grew up in Jeju, developing interest and familiarity with flowers and natural elements. How much does it impact your choice of subjects for your tattoos?

Jeju is the largest island in South Korea and is known for its natural beauty. It is also one of Korea's most popular tourist destinations. My parents were both born and reared on the island, and as a result, they both engaged in physical sports. My father enjoyed swimming, fishing, and camping since he was young, and he brought me everywhere he went after I was born. During my travels with my father, he showed me a number of natural sites, and I have many fond recollections of our time together. Thus I frequently played with earth, flowers, and trees, which my parents encouraged me to depict using sketchbooks and crayons.
I believe that the way in which my parents raised me by exposing me to a variety of outdoor activities helped me acquire a passion for and knowledge of the subjects of my tattoos.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What aspect of your work do you pay particular attention to?

When I make a flash design, I pay particular attention to how the flowers and other elements complement the body parts. For example, I first consider which body part the design will decorate. Afterwards, I collect images of flower references and disperse them around the body image. I chop them and examine their general form. I next choose the colors I want to utilize, such as whether I want to use darker, lighter, same-color, or similar-color tones.
Regarding the personalized design, I have an in-depth conversation with the client about the tattoo's placement, size, and desired aspects. In addition, I focus on their reasons for getting the tattoo. Most people's stories involve their loved ones; therefore, I design my tattoo to convey its significance immediately.
For coverups, I request that my clients take photographs from various angles of the body portion to be concealed. I also ask them how they want it covered, such as whether they want just a touch-up or a complete coverup. If they have motives to conceal it, it is also beneficial for me to know how well I can conceal it.
Afterwards, I collect the subjects of the tattoo photographs and cut them to determine if they fit. When I meet the client on the appointed date, if the size or the elements do not fit the design, I create a freehand stencil and consult with the client to make it more suitable.
Overall, I give the greatest attention to how the tattoo's shape complements the body, the tattoo's color tones, and the client's desire.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Since much of my work focuses on floral and botanical features, I get inspiration mostly from flowers, plants, and nature, as well as from my clients. Regarding coverup, for example, I had a number of clients who desperately wanted to conceal their existing tattoos. Before confirming an appointment, I discuss with my customers how they intend to conceal it so that they do not later regret their choice. Once makeup is applied, it is impossible to remove or reapply, therefore I aim for perfection. Hence, for coverup work, my designs are influenced by the client's preferences, the existing tattoo's shape, placement, and flow, as well as the positioning and placement of the client's body.

Why did you choose tattoos over other mediums, such as painting or illustration? What does it represent for you?

I believe that tattooing is a means of self-expression. Unlike painters or illustrators, tattoo artists produce their art on the skin of their clients. Consequently, the works are permanent unless they are removed. I believe this is one of the attractions of tattoos. Tattoos reveal a person's personality, life motto, tastes, memories, and philosophy, which follow him or her wherever he or she travels. That is timeless.
Botanic tattoos are more meaningful to me since I believe that the human life cycle and the lifespan of flowers are parallel. Everyone is born into the world, matures, experiences both positive and negative events during their youth, ages, and returns to the earth. I acknowledge the resemblance to flowers. In the earliest stages, they are buds. It blooms, reveals its splendor, experiences rain, storm, sunlight, and wind, and finally withers as time passes. So, I strive to capture the beauty of my client's life through floral arrangements. I endeavor to represent the vigor of life in each of my paintings by employing a plethora of brilliant hues.
Additionally, I do numerous birth flower tattoos. I am glad to be able to tattoo cherished memories of their loved ones as flowers so that they will always remember their family, friends, and cherished ones. Often, this heightens my sense of obligation.
I am satisfied with my ability to execute coverup work. I began researching how to make concealer appear more natural several years ago. Although the colors must be a bit darker than the previous tattoo, I try to avoid making it too harsh or cluttered by highlighting the flowers' details.

Do you have a role model that you've drawn inspiration from when creating your art?

As a Korean tattoo artist, I draw inspiration from the first generation of Korean tattoo artists who worked tirelessly to elevate the status of tattoo culture in South Korea. The tattoo industry in Korea has faced many challenges, including the stigma associated with tattoos and the legal requirements to obtain a medical license, which has made it difficult for tattoo artists to operate safely and freely.
Despite these challenges, the first generation of Korean tattoo artists persevered and fought for the recognition of tattooing as a legitimate art form. They worked tirelessly to create an environment that was safer and more comfortable for both tattoo artists and clients. As a result of their hard work, Korean tattoo artists have become increasingly famous for their talents and designs, and the tattoo culture in Korea is becoming more accepted and recognized.
I believe that the first generation of Korean tattoo artists has set an excellent example of perseverance, dedication, and passion. Their efforts have opened the door for the current generation of tattoo artists, including myself, to continue the work of promoting and advancing the tattoo industry in Korea and internationally.
As one of the role models for other Korean tattoo artists, my ultimate goal is to promote Korean tattoos on a global scale. I am optimistic about the future and believe that someday, tattoos will be valued and celebrated by people from all walks of life.

Is there anything else you would like to experiment with? Any subject or tattoo style you would like to incorporate in your work?

Since I have a high degree of competence in floral tattoos and a large number of clients come to me specifically for floral tattoos, I feel I will continue to focus on flowers and other natural aspects. In the future, I would also like to concentrate more on coverups and larger works. I am also considering adding somewhat more subdued hues to offer diversity to my design, as I have primarily employed vibrant hues.
In addition, I would like to explore floral compositions that take on more varied forms, such as animals and mythical creatures like dragons.

Finally, what are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

My most recent performance was in June 2022 at the Leeds Tattoo Convention. I was able to demonstrate how floral-themed tattoos may flourish on a person's body at this event. As floral tattoos are my specialty, I will continue to focus on flowers and other natural motifs. I would like to travel more frequently and attend more conventions in the future.