In 1976 Felix Leu, a Swiss-born traveller, was accosted by a passer-by in Yugoslavia as the artist responsible for the tattoos of a travelling companion. He was not, but somehow then determined to learn the skills of the tattooist. With advice, he found and served his apprenticeship at Jock's Tattoo Shop, in King's Cross, and set off on a world-wide mission to become a master of the art. For almost 30 years Felix and his family travelled the world, learning their crafts and art. There are now three generations of the Leu family practising at their famous studios in Lausanne. In addition to Japanese and Indian styles, they are also linguists of the African traditions, having worked alongside Berber tribesmen, along with Indonesian, Polynesian and North American Indian masters. But perhaps what they are most known for is their own personalized style, described by afficionados as "soft and psychedelic". Filip, Felix's son, became specialized in large pieces, bodysuits even. Clients, over several years, offer up their bodies, their hands, their faces and even genitals for decoration.
The photographer Fabio Paleari has documented the studio and the designs of the Leu's work in Lausanne and beyond.
- ISBN10 0954264800
- ISBN13 9780954264802
- Publish Date 31 December 1998
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 5 July 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Trolley Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 224
- Language English