For the final edition of the year, one brave soul got our logo tattooed onto her tricep. Tevya Faed, one of Critic Te Ārohi’s finest illustrators added to her collection of tattoo’s booking in for an appointment with her go-to tattoo artist, Kesi.
In a post-match interview with Tevya, she made it clear that she was not coerced by her bosses into getting the logo tattooed (gun lowers behind camera). In fact, she had the idea for the cover over a year ago, when she began her internship at the magazine. “It was just about finally getting it done.” Tevya used her time with Kesi wisely. Booking in for a half day appointment, the illustrator also received a Coraline inspired tattoo on her arm, alongside the word ‘lucky’ imprinted on her butt in cursive writing.
Critic sent a writer, still yet to lose his inked virginity, over to Subconscious Studios to step into the mind of Tevya’s tattoo artist. Kesi said that she got her first tattoo when she was just fifteen – three years below the legal age in Aotearoa. Her mother had searched to find the one studio in town that would tattoo a 15-year-old. Somewhat unsurprisingly, that place isn’t open anymore. Kesi’s first piece was a subtle semi-colon. On reflection she says, "It's probably not something I'd get now.” She views her tattoo’s as a “scrapbook of memories,” almost like a timeline of her life printed onto her body.
Kesi mostly practices fine line black work, but also dabbles in coloured and bolded art styles. She especially loves to create nostalgic pieces. Looking up to her board of flash tattoos, familiar faces from Cartoon Network appear, like characters from Adventure Time and The Regular Show. A lot of old internet themed stencils were also up for grabs, including a game of Mine Sweeper and old Windows XP pop up notifications.
In what was almost an act of self sabotage, Kesi made the bold decision to get a face tattoo when she was 18 years old. While most people fear that getting a face tat could ruin your white collar career prospects, Kesi relished in that fact. She never wanted to “even have the ability” to work an office job. To set this into stone she made the move to get a floral tattoo stretching between her left ear and cheek “so that no one would ever hire [her].” At this point, the recently tatted Kesi was living with her Dad – he “wasn’t really impressed” with her decision. Thankfully, Kesi still seems chipper about the call, with her current studio book filling up with clients a month in advance.
Kesi has always had an artistic streak. “I basically do every sort of art that I can do,” she tells Critic, reminiscing about the times sitting in the back of the classroom doodling rather than actually working on assignments. In her spare time she explores other artistic hobbies, such as crochet and knitting. Her Instagram boasts many of her creations, including t-shirts, jumpers and even a toy hippopotamus.
Most tattoo artists hone their craft while practicing as an apprentice, a position Kesi got offered mid session while getting one of her own designs tattooed. Throughout Kesi’s journey, many of her friends and family members put their bodies on the line. Her brother carries a lot of Kesi’s first etchings, becoming one of Kesi’s canvases for a discounted price.
Having come a long way since getting that facial tattoo, Kesi says that her father is very accepting of her tattoo journey. “He doesn't really understand the tattoos that I get, but he has kind of given in to the fact that I’m going to get lots of tattoos,” she says. The artist has even given her father a selection of tats, and they’re currently working together to draft up a large Pink Floyd inspired back piece.
Subconscious Studios is where Kesi has found herself for the past five years. The borough buried just beyond the Octagon actively aims to open itself up as a safe space for young women and its queer customer base. Part of this kaupapa is the acknowledgement and understanding that being tattooed can be a vulnerable experience, exposing parts of your body you wouldn’t usually, and that many young women and queer patrons “have never really felt entire ownership over their bodies.” She perceives that art of tattoo as a way to reclaim your body, in the “coolest form of self-experssion,” one that acts as a "permanent accessory” – and Subconscious Studios is a safe space to make that happen.
Peruse through Kesi’s portfolio @kesi.ink on Instagram to see if she’s the artist for you. There, you'll also find a story highlight which will help you make your next tattoo inquiry.