Tattooed: It's An Art at The Galeries 2022

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Jesse Lizotte dives into the art of tattooing taking a unique, authentic, and uninhibited look at the artists behind some of Sydney's best work.

Meet the photographer

Jesse Lizotte was born in Sydney and raised in New York. He is driven by an interest in the way people on the fringes of society influence popular culture and fashion, and often gravitates towards subcultures. Jesse's approach is honest and considerate, fostering natural connections that are evident in his portraiture. His images evoke a sense of familiarity, yet his photographic sensibilities give a fresh perspective

Jesse presented his first solo exhibition 'Lowrider' at China Heights Gallery in 2014 and has recently completed a commission for the National Portrait Gallery. In 2018 he joined the British Fashion Council's list of 'New Wave Creatives'. Jesse has shot for clients such as Levis, Adidas, Oculus, Vogue, 10 Magazine, GQ Magazine, Oyster, i-D, INPRINT, among many others. He has also photographed celebrities like Billie Eilish, Jason Momoa and Ben Simmons.

Meet the Artists

Demi Iacopetta

Demi Iacopetta began tattooing in 2009 and is currently based at Tattoo Rosies, Surry Hills. Iacopetta's work is defined by her use of smooth, bold lines, intricate detailing and tribal influenced imagery. Painting and drawing has always been her passion, but she never thought it would become a career.

Demi found out the local tattoo shop was looking for an apprentice and had a tattoo gun in hand from the very next week. The art-form blew her mind and continues to do so.

'It's such a special form of expression with a really rich history. I love how getting a tattoo can transform people, increase people's confidence; it's also just fun, and a lot of people get tattooed because of that.' Demi

Shaun Daniel Allen

Shaun Daniel Allen is a proud Yugambeh/Bundjalung man, a painter, musician and well-established tattoo artist based at Thanks Tattoo in Darlinghurst. His hand painted works run deep with his First Nations history, highlighting in visually striking colours and line work his country, surroundings, and blood lines. This work has frequently exhibited at China Heights Gallery including his curation 'Balun' in June 2021.

When Allen isn't expressing his creativity visually, he also fronts the Hardcore punk band Nerve Damage, a band speaking up about important issues close to home.

Pheazy

Pheazy currently resides at Little Tokyo in Surry Hills. His work is influenced by his deep roots in graffiti, and traditional Japanese culture. This is defined by his use of bold lines, intricate detailing, traditional motifs and pops of colour.

His hero in the field is Horiyoshi III, born in 1946, a horishi specializing in Japanese traditional full-body tattoos, or 'suits,' called Irezumi or Horimono. One of Pheazy's most popular pieces is his take on the traditional tiger. A tiger can be identified in different ways, and Pheazy loves how the lines can be used and re-shaped depending on the personality intended of the animal and the person receiving it.