FEATURED ARTIST : RUBEN BLAK

Crafting Tattoos with Soul, Substance, and Style

In a world saturated with imitation, Ruben Blak is an original.

An African-British tattoo artist rooted in the UK and raised between Portugal and Britain, Ruben brings a rare fusion of cultures, influences, and creative discipline to everything he does. With years of tattooing experience and an eye for both art and identity, Ruben is more than just a tattooist—he’s a storyteller, a designer, and a cultural conduit.

Style in Motion: From Sigils to Soul

Ruben’s tattoo style is in constant evolution. Once burned out by overcomplication, he’s now found new energy in a style that feels more natural—and more punk.

His current work blends fine-line traditional techniques with a raw, graphic approach he loosely identifies as Euro/Cyber Sigilism. Rebellious and divisive, this aesthetic isn’t for everyone. And that’s the point.

Art Beyond Skin: Drawing from Emotion and Rebellion

Outside of tattooing, Ruben’s creative spark burns just as brightly in his painting and personal art practice. His drive to draw and paint is more than just an artistic outlet—it’s a raw transformation of intense emotion and a rebellious spirit that refuses to be contained.

Whether on canvas or skin, his work channels something deeper: vulnerability, resistance, and a refusal to conform. It’s art with teeth—and soul.

Ruben is also drawn to tattooing inspired by documentary-style photography—a style he finds “expressive, original, and unexpected.”

One powerful example is his use of symbolic imagery. Ruben’s appreciation for bold, culturally rich symbols—like his favourite Chinese dragon—has a resonance that goes beyond aesthetics.

Outside the Studio: Art in All Forms

Ruben’s creativity doesn’t stop at skin. A self-professed designer addict, fashion is another key part of his identity. He’s also got deep roots in music, passionate about DJ-ing.

Ruben jokes that he's outgrown the “spicy wings meal and Strawberry Mirinda” lifestyle. These days, it's more matcha lattes and bruschetta. “I've outgrown the hood,” he says with a smile.

Designing with Intention: "A Ruben Blak Tattoo is a Ruben Blak Tattoo"

Ask Ruben how he creates his designs, and you won’t get a sugarcoated answer. His process is honest, collaborative, and instinctive. He works fast, but never cuts corners.

“I like to sit down with my clients and design in front of them,” he says. “That way, we can come to an arrangement we're both comfortable with and build something original.”

His commitment to artistic integrity is what makes his work stand out. Flash tattoos—ready-made designs like buying a one-of-one luxury item—are also part of his practice, and he sees them as powerful expressions of individuality.

Ruben Blak is a rare kind of artist: brutally honest, fiercely independent, and wholly original. Whether he's tattooing, designing, painting, or spinning records, he brings an infectious sense of purpose to everything he touches.