Three artists, three styles, three projects.
A trio of world-renowned tattoo artists have been brought on by Indian Motorcycles to create artwork for the new 2022 Indian Chief – and the second of the designs cooked up for the Indian Chief shows a beautiful personal take on traditional Japanese-themed body art, courtesy of Yokohama tattoo artist, Shige.
Having professionally taken up the ink in the mid-nineties, Shige spent his pre-Y2K days working as a motorcycle mechanic, with his nights reserved for his hobby.
24 years later, motorcycles are just as near and dear to his heart, and he is the successful owner of the “Yellow Blaze” tattoo parlor, where his artwork remains refreshingly personal.
In an interview with Indian Motorcycle Designer Ola Stenegärd (referenced on SpeedWay Digest), Shige explains why he chose a Japanese Oni Demon for the bike;
“The reason for the placement of an Oni-demon tattooed on the belly means you have Oni-demon in the center of the body and heart,” says Shige.
“This translates to the motorcycle fuel tank. The Oni-demon stands for strong will and protection; Oni is a demon, but its meaning is not evil. It wards off bad luck and protects you from evil. Having an Oni-demon tattooed on the belly shows one’s determination to live in this harsh world with a strong heart.”
“A tattoo has to be beautiful as the body moves,” he continues.
“The cherry blossoms have to be perfectly composed as they are there to balance the Oni-demon, together with the deep meaning of the flower.”
“Cherry Blossoms means ‘the pathos of things.’ This image of ‘a sensitivity to ephemera’ can also be related to the motorbike – or even one’s life. That’s the reason why I chose this image.”
“Showing the Indian Motorcycle Chief and the dramatic depth of life itself…It is not just about looks. I desire to put emotional drama into the design of this motorbike. And the Oni-demon does create this drama.”
Shige’s artwork will be applied to the Chief later this year and revealed in Spring 2022, at a VIP event in London, alongside the other two designs from artists Mayonaize and Carlos Torres.
That’s not all – forty more tattoo artists will be battling for their own Indian Motorcycle Chief designs to be made a reality, with the winner chosen in the fall of this year.
Stay cool and cruising – and make sure to head over to wBW’s archives for more information on that brand-spankin’ new 2022 Indian Chief.
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