PAIN IS TEMPORARY, INK IS PERMANENT. A CONVERSATION WITH ZEBLION
Resogofaditswe Nkoane (28), popularly known by his nicknames Zeblion or Ma’Chips, is a native of Marapyane village, in Mpumalanga Province, where he was born and bred even went to school to here. While some of his peers then, did not understand the importance of art – tattoos in particular – Zeblion found himself immensely drawn towards this form of artistry. Today the proud founder and director of INKDeep Tattoos has a serious story to tell, The Village Mag spoke to the lanky tattooist about what this job means to him and even throws in some few advises to aspiring tattoo artists and potential customers.
- Briefly define tattooing as a form of artistry?
Tattoos are a form of body art or body modification made by inserting ink, dyes or pigments into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. The art of making tattoos is called tattooing. The art began in the eastern parts of the world mainly for traditional initiation purposes. The art grew and diversified amongst different ethnic communities in three main categories; decorative, symbolic and pictorial art hence why today tattoos are a culture everywhere in the world.
2. How did you get into tattooing especially growing up in Marapyane, a village without any tattoo parlor/studio?
Growing up in a small village like Marapyane where there isn’t any tattoo parlor(s), tattoos were always stigmatized and associated with delinquents and evil. I never knew or thought I’d ever become a professional tattooist but I was always attracted to art mainly sketches and paintings. I sketched a lot during my childhood day’s right up until I became an adult. It was when I got my first tattoo when I fell in love with tattooing, I realized with a bit of self-training I could adjust from brushes and pens to tattoo guns and machines.
3. Were you an artistic learner in school?
During my school days I drew a lot I could always explain something better with a sketch or a peace of drawing. Even though I was a bright learner at school I remember I would always get into trouble for having sketches in my work books when I was in primary school. I never took art classes or studied art but I was always drawn to art right up to when I matriculated and went on to study further in tertiary institutions.
4. Growing up, when did you know that you wanted to become a tattoo artist?
It was in 2014 when I was doing my second trimester in Civil Engineering Building and Construction in Pretoria. I had decided to get my first tattoo that year and I was fascinated by how the tattooist got what I desired on to my body. I realized that the process behind tattooing is not as complicated as I had initially anticipated. I began to politely interrogate the artist about the equipment and the occupation in general as he was working on my body. It was right there and then I knew I was going to become a tattoo artist or more professionally a tattooist.
5. What do you feel was one of your biggest struggles?
One of my biggest struggles was getting a customer base or a client base hence I was self-taught and had no form of qualification to do what I do. Gaining a client base was hard because a lot of people in the village were misinformed and uneducated about tattoos. They were seen as a sign of evil or a sign that you were a delinquent well on your way to prison or from prison.
6. Do you have a formal training in this field/art background?
I have never studied art in any form anywhere. Even though I always wanted to take a tattooing course for training I never actually did. I taught myself how to use a tattoo machine, there was never any formal training till today.
7. If not why not? If you do have a formal training, why did you see the need to study the art?
The main reason why I couldn’t take any formal training was because my parents didn’t understand the field at the time. Telling them I wanted to drop out of engineering school to start tattoo lessons was not even an option. To them drawing was just a thing children do when they are bored but with time they began to realize my talent and passion for art. I also did not take any formal training simply because I did not need it, I was a natural…
8. Tattoo is a form of artistic expression, what do you think you specifically specializes in?
Specifically I would say I specialize in body modifications in the form of decorative, symbolic and pictorial designs of art, to express emotion and belief in a logical or traditional sense.
9. What is your take in on graffiti vs tattoos?
I am a fan of both Graffiti and Tattoos, they are quite similar if not the same thing. The difference between the two is the equipment used to express the art and their origins hence Graffiti was a way of marking turfs for gangs and was considered a federal crime in the western part of the world and Tattoos were a way to mark initiates welcoming them to adulthood in the eastern part of the world. Both are very broad categories in art.
10. In your village are there many other professional tattoo artists?
Yes there are other tattoo artists in the village now tattoos and tattooing is becoming a culture here people are more informed and educated on tattoos.
11. Do you have any desires to open up a tattoo studio in the future?
Yes, I have a very big desire to open up an art studio not only focused on tattoos alone hence I am well rooted in different aspects of art. This will help young children from the village to express themselves through art of any nature, something I wish there was when I was growing up in the village.
12. What are the main challenges faced by tattoo artists that an ordinary person may not know?
The main challenge we have as tattoo artists that ordinary people do not know about is the hatred and stigma based on what we do because even though today tattoos are a culture everywhere in the world a lot of people still associate them with evil to points where people wholeheartedly believe that we are children of the devil doing the devils work inserting evil into morally pure people.
13. As a professional artist, what could you advice potential customers before they have a tattoo?
As a professional tattoo artist I would advise people to choose wisely what they desire to put on their bodies because what they do not know is that every tattoo design has a meaning and tattoos are permanent. Even though tattoos are a bright culture some tattoo designs are still owned by gangs and should they witness the designs on your body and become aware that you are not part of their gang it would be considered a mockery and you will be in very serious danger that could lead to the dismembering of limbs or death. Gangs take their tattoos extremely serious so it would wise to do the necessary research before actually putting the design on to your body.
14. Tattooing is a contact activity, as such with the country on high covid-19 alert levels of lockdown, how has your business been impacted?
Being a contact activity, covid-19 regulations have impacted business very badly because not only is it risky to tattoo a client in such times but it is also difficult to get supplies. Tattoo supply shops are not many as is it’s hard for them to get hold of stock especially since all pigments, dyes and inks are made abroad so it gets even harder for us as the end user to get stocked up.
15. Any last words to aspiring tattoo artists?
As a professional tattoo artist I would love for this field to grow in our village and neighboring communities so that more people can be informed and educated about tattoos. Children who have an art sense to know more about tattoos and how it can be a magnificent career.
For more information follow INKDeep Tattoos on Facebook
Zeblion thank you so much for your hard work and dedication most importantly excellent customer service experience. My first experience of having a tattoo was awesome with you, what I loved was constantly even after we done with the tattoo you checked to see if it was healing well. Continue doing the great work and impacting lives in our village.
I most certainly will my sister, I’m grateful to have you as a client. To god be the glory 🙏🏽❤
Well done abuti… Great job I have 3 tattoos done by you very good n clean work👌
My first tatoo was done by you. I still remember so well, myself and baby bsis were so excited about it. What I take home about you my dear, is ur humanity and gentleness. A lot of people fear of pain when they think of tats but I can boldly say “Resego has your back guys” go get tattoed😘😘
Yeah that’s Mr Ink deep,he also did my tattoo 👌👌👌big-up man
My view on everything i love art and yes i wish to get an tattoo some day very soon.. The idea of my brother is awesome and i guess we have changed as a society on how we see things nd our old mind set on things has changed… I wish to see more of this in our community for the brighter Tommorow nd more development changing us in how we do things, making a point we get information on things in early age…
I never liked a tattoo until I saw this guy’s work I fell in love with the body art. His work is clean and very beautiful. I am proud to call him my tattoo artist. Young but very talented……
Set your goals high and don’t stop till you get there.” Bo Jackson
Amazing story my brother,you are truely an inspiration.I myself am not a fan of ink on my skin but I can attest to that ,I have seen your work it’s really so creative and impressive.You are truely gifted and I have also heard you when talk and share about the culture of tattoos the love ,passion you have is massive.So keep waving high the tatooe flag and shinning my brother.So proud of you..
It is my upmost dream to have children learn and understand art in every sense and how much of an impact it can have in the community. “Matsogo a tlhapisana” together we can accomplish this.
I am grateful 🙏🏽❤😭
Together as one Ngwana Ausi 🙏🏽❤😭
I am humbly grateful.
This story motivated me a lot, to be more dedicated in creating more artworks it made me believe I can do what I love too, I’m lucky to have Ma’Chips in my life he is a true inspiration.
One of the talented guy, keep on doing the work pusher brother
#Art is beautiful
Keep on doing the good work my brother
Nice bra waka👌🏾 Looking forward to the growth of INKDeep Tattoos💪🏾😁
I’ve personally known Resegofaditswe from a very young age as “Ma’chips” as he was doing higher grades than me, it was only later as I grew that I knew he was into tattoos, I’m really glad he found his passion as fellow member of community where knowledge about such fields are such a blur and I wish him all the best in this tattooing thing I’ve seen how crazy he is about it.
I was referred by a friend to do tatto with Resego I was scared but he made it easy 4 me not to feel da pain keep on doing the good job Zeb am definitely coming to get my second ink
They have said it all. Remember how stressed I was cause of the sound of the machine🤣🤣🤣, Yes pain is temporary, ur art proves that. My first art was painfull but had to come back for another after 2months because of ur dedication and the services . U are on another level bro keep it up, re sa tlo boela bothloko boo …😄😄
🙏🙏Thnq again 🙏🙏
Well, I can say I was impressed with the results
It was really an experience of a life time
He offered great service😊😊friendly and welcoming
The prices a quite reasonable
I’m definitely coming to get my second tattoo
Woow my dearest nephew… I’m not so surprised you made it this far and I know you still going places with art…… You were so good with art/drawing from as young as I can remember 💕 Wishing you all the best of success and wealth Mokone wa ntshi dikgolo…..
My brother from another mother.. Brother in Ink .. I got a tattoo from my brother here and all I can say is greatness ,greatness greatness.. there’s a lot more coming your way my brother . The blood sweat and tears will manifest some more … keep it up my brother
To be honest,I don’t know how he does it…he manages to do a good job every time. We are fortunate to have someone like you in our community
#bodyart
#INKdeep
👏👏👏👏👏
Personally didn’t like tattoos til I saw his work in dad’s arms haibo mfethu.and what I like about your tattoos is you can see the passion from the tattoos 🔥 the size always on point, creativity another level and prices? Affordable.
Continue to shine and may your work continue to speak for you, keep it up
Awesome 👏🏻 I have seen some of your work and one wouldn’t tell that’s your work or you never went to school to study that .That’s outstanding too professional nice , clean and one of the best tattoos I’ve ever seen.
I knew I was taising a hero n a legend, well done son, you are my pride
Amazing! Amazing!wow I’m so proud of Mkhaya wam, my Artist🙌 many judged me after getting my tattoo, comments like”Yohhh u will be Granny ojwang with tattoos all over ur body “n I laughed,🤣n said’im not done’I got my first tattoo from Machips hle, I remember In 2016 March, woke up with a heavy heart n asked my friend kare, chommie I want a tattoo, n keya ko Machips, is he good? are yohhh botlhoko!tlhoko! I’m still in love with my tattoo, U really know ur job Abuti nd it is still looking fresh and clean like I got it Yesterday n definitely getting my 2nd, 3rd n more, Keetla Machips🥂👏🙌#bonaKetlaDah
#INKdeep❤️
My nigga , me I always new that you got in you, you have that touch of gold man when you doing your thing on art 🎨.
Tshego nna I say push my nigga, that’s what you are born for.
Talent you’ll nvr erase.
Retshegofaditswe is such an influencer, I’m personally afraid of niddles ey, I had a scar on my thigh and was so tired of people asking what happened,thats when a great guy “ma chips” told me about a cover up. I trusted him with my fear and did the cover up eversince people are asking where did I get it.
I got my 1st ink,maybe might go for seconds and many other as my tattoo in its one magnitude resembles My Family#TheFamilyTree… as just an Idea,having to see MaChips put it in his work and get my idea deep inked,i knew then theres more to his talent than what we imagined. Well his technique and patience will most definetly take him places.
All the best in your future endeveours as a tattooist,keep your hand steady and INK ON.
I saw you good work through you,make a mark for yourself.a great and inspiring article hope young people can see this and stop complaining about employment you can make it without job from government,you can do this all alone as long as you put effort into it.big up mokhaya waka
You found your calling wesho,keep doing the good job..well done
Resegofaditswe aka machips keep up the the good work I never doubted you first time I saw your body art may god continues to bless you in every step.
I wasn’t into tattoos that much early this year when I met Resegofaditswe he made me fell inlove with tattoos, I was afraid to do it 😊 then He showed me His tattoo then I was inspired by his tattoo….. Getting my first tattoo it was pain but not that much because of love the tattoo I didn’t cry. I’m very proud of my Guy and may the Most high God bless you more ❤️✝️
I am deeply humbled by all your responses. I am grateful to have all of you, may the good Lord bless and keep you all.
Lerato ke leo…🙏🏽❤
Well-done realizing your own skill takes a lot of courage. You are brave for believing in yourself and most importantly in your community. Keep doing your best, because remember, art is always best.
I m very close to my kids and I wanted to have something like a connection but didn’t know what..then I saw my boy’s work he did a masterpiece on my body with my kids names and some amazing footprints…🙏🏿👊🏿Wish u nothing but the best my dawg nice one super proud
🤭🤭🤭Master of TATTOOS , wishing you nothing greater path in everything you desires to rich in life, the journey is stil long and I know you will conquer, YOU ARE SOOOOOO CREATIVE, you give the best you have I guess ART it’s a calling, I’m so proud of you 👌👌🤗
Your work is truly amazing skeem saka,always on point. 👌💯 I’m a fan of tattoos now & it’s all because of your work of art inked on me by you.
Definitely will be coming back for more & more. I also like the fact that you made me feel comfortable in every way possible. Keep up the excellent my maat! 👌 Stay on the grind. May God continue blessing the growth of your business mmataka. 👊🙏 Stay shining! 🌌#INKDeep tattoos #INK&ArtLover. ❤
Well-done realizing your own skill takes a lot of courage. You are brave for believing in yourself and most importantly in your community. Keep doing your best, because remember, art is always best.
This is good. What you are doing can impact a positive future. I Love your spirit 👊👊👊
Shout out to the village mag, exposure is key!💯