Anki Suen Anki - Hong Kong @suenanki.tattoo

Anki Suen, from Hong Kong, is a talented tattoo artist recognized for her Abstract Oriental style, which combines abstract art, calligraphy, and watercolor effects, creating pieces that flow with the body and convey harmony and emotion. She was selected among the Top Five out of over 100 international artists by a high-level jury —Paul Booth, Victoria Lee, Jesse Smith, and Shi Ryu— and also won in the Abstract and Watercolor categories of our international competition, showcasing the strength and reach of her style beyond Hong Kong.

Next, she shares with us her journey, creative process, and the meanings she aims to convey in each piece.

1. Your work is characterized by a very personal fusion of abstract art, oriental aesthetics, and calligraphy. How did this visual language come to life, and which artistic references were key in shaping it?

My visual language developed from my interest in traditional Chinese ink wash painting and calligraphy, combined with a need to adapt it to a modern, abstract form on skin. Growing up in Hong Kong exposed me to both cultural traditions and urban influences, so I aimed to create designs that connect these elements—abstract for a contemporary feel, but grounded in oriental ideas of flow and balance.

Key references include Chinese artists like Qi Baishi for his expressive brushwork, the Lingnan School for blending Eastern and Western styles, and Zen principles that emphasize simplicity and space. I use watercolor techniques in tattooing to replicate how ink spreads on paper, allowing the design to evolve with the body over time.

2. Coming from Hong Kong, a city with a very strong cultural identity, how do your environment and roots influence your artistic vision and the way you approach tattooing?

Hong Kong’s mix of tradition and modernity—high-rises next to temples, East-West fusion—shapes my work. My roots connect me to Chinese elements like calligraphy and the philosophy of ink following form, but the city’s fast pace encourages me to abstract them into something more emotional and less rigid.

In tattooing, I see the body as a dynamic canvas, so I design pieces that flow with the client’s movements, much like how Hong Kong blends old and new seamlessly.

3. How were your beginnings in the world of tattooing, and what led you to choose this medium as your main form of artistic expression?

I entered tattooing at 25, after leaving a job that limited my creativity. I’d always enjoyed drawing, calligraphy, and ink art, but tattooing appealed because the skin is alive—the ink heals, fades, and changes, similar to how ink paintings age.

The permanence and personal nature of tattoos made it ideal for my style. I apprenticed and focused on brush techniques to bring oriental elements into this medium.

4. Throughout your career, was there a decisive moment that marked a turning point in your development as an artist?

A key moment was committing fully to my Abstract Oriental style, moving away from conventional tattoo approaches. By treating tattoos like ink wash paintings—emphasizing flow, negative space, and resonance—it all came together. Gaining international recognition also confirmed that this culturally inspired, abstract method could appeal broadly.

5. At this moment, how would you describe your current artistic state and where you are in your creative journey?

Currently, I’m focused on refining my core style—abstract oriental with calligraphy and watercolor effects—while working to improve the subtlety and execution. I’m trying to perfect traditional ink wash or abstract designs to create a complete bodysuit set. I’m midway in my journey: appreciative of the progress, but committed to further development through larger works or new blends.

6. You were selected within the Top Five by our jurors Paul Booth, Victoria Lee, Jesse Smith, and Shi Ryu among more than 100 artists from around the world, and you were also the winner of the Abstract and Watercolor categories in our international competition. How did you receive this news, and what did this recognition mean to you?

I was super surprised and grateful when I heard. Being selected by experts like Paul Booth, Victoria Lee, Jesse Smith, and Shi Ryu from a global field was validating after years of focused work. Winning in Abstract and Watercolor categories was especially meaningful, as they’re central to my approach. It showed that my style can connect with people outside Hong Kong.

7. What value do you place on being evaluated and chosen by such a high-level international jury, and how do you feel this award connects with your artistic trajectory?

I value it highly because these jurors are leaders in diverse tattoo styles and cultures. Their choice goes beyond skill—it’s about originality and impact. It ties into my path: from leaving a stable job to pursue a personal, culturally based style, to having it recognized worldwide. It motivates me to continue merging traditional aesthetics with modern tattooing.

8. From your perspective, what do you think the jury saw in your work that made your proposal stand out in such a diverse and demanding competition?

I think they saw the fusion and harmony—the abstract forms seem effortless, yet deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy. In my work, you can see the pervasive Eastern flavor, while not forgetting the consideration of the body, thereby bringing out dynamism and emotional tranquility—like an ink poem. The works are full of breathing sense, not aggressive, and this balance perhaps resonated with the judges’ different perspectives.

9. To conclude, after this important achievement, what are your upcoming projects, and how do you envision the evolution of your career and your work in the coming years?

I’m excited for more guest spots internationally to share my style in new place, along with personal projects exploring themes like flow and identity. In the years ahead, I see my work growing toward more body-contouring designs, possibly larger compositions or ongoing series. I’ll stay rooted in the core idea: letting the ink flow naturally.

10. Any acknowledgements or final words you would like to share?

Thank you so much to the organizers, the incredible jury, and everyone who has supported my journey—clients, family, fellow artists. To anyone reading: tattooing is about more than ink; it’s about carrying meaning on your skin. If something resonates with your heart, trust it. And to my Hong Kong roots—thank you for the balance of tradition and freedom that fuels everything I create. 感謝大家，墨流知形，讓我們繼續前行。