Whenever I hear the name Niko, I automatically think of the husky sounding European chanteuse from the Velvet Underground. This is a mistake. First of all, that’s Nico not Niko, and second of all, this Niko is far more likely to give you a kick ass tattoo than to sing you a mid sixties experimental rock song.
Yes, Niko is a tattoo artist and a great one at that. As owner of Kustom Tattoo in Paris, France, Niko has been working as a tattoo artist for the past 14 years. If you’re the sort of person who likes a good skull tattoo, then Niko is your man. Not to say that Niko can only do skull tattoos, but he is particularly fond of the Memento mori, which is Latin for “Remember you will die.” The Memento Mori is an art genre which is intended to remind people of their own mortality, while also showing them the price that will be paid in the afterlife if they break the commandments and rules of their religion. Memento mori artwork is seen in everything from paintings to sculptures, to gravestones and now tattoos as well. It has been around for centuries.
If all that sounds a little grim, that’s because it is. But hey, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful too. Niko’s tattoo work certainly takes on a dark sort of beauty that isn’t bogged down by cliches. The human skull has got to be one of the most widely tattooed images in the world, yet Niko’s careful and precise work makes it look fresh and original each time.
In addition to the Memento mori work, Niko also does Japanese and Cholo style tattoos. His work in these tattoo genres is certainly worthy of a look. I also can’t forget to mention that beyond his tattoo work, Niko paints and has also designed graphics for skateboard decks. If you live in Paris, or are planning a vacation there in the near future, stop by Kustom Tattoo and see Niko’s work for yourself first hand.