Words: Ákos Bánfalvi
Before Cristian Restivo from Torino, Italy became a full time tattoo artist, he did a
lot of different kinds of jobs, very far from the tattoo world, although he had similar passions like painting, drawing and paintbrush. The latter got him closer to
the tattoo world. In the beginning. Cristian was self-taught, in 1997, when the
only places where he could find information and ideas were from the different
tattoo magazines.
What did your family and friends think about you getting into the business?
My family was a barrier; they never liked my choice, opposite of my friends
who always supported me. This path was hard and difficult but soon I had
the first achievements, which let me turn this passion into a full time job.
In 2003, I started working in a tattoo studio in my hometown, which
gave me the opportunity to compare my work with other artists; at the
same time, I started attending an art school which gave me more tools
to improve my work.
Tell us about your shop, AB Normal Tattoo.
2008 was another key point in my career, since finally I was able
to open my first tattoo studio, AB Normal is in the center of my
hometown, Torino. With my business partner and our co-workers,
we managed to create a cozy and stimulating environment where
we can create tattoos and art in general. The vision I have of the
tattoo world is more about the expression of an idea more than
the mere business around it. Of course, that side happened
too!
“I’M NOT SURE WHERE TO PLACE WHAT I DO,
CLEARLY THE NEW SCHOOL MARK IS
PREDOMINANT, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME
ELEMENTS OF NEO-TRADITIONAL
AND ILLUSTRATION…” – CRISTIAN RESTIVO
InkSpiredMagazine.com
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