Tattoo artist wants more respect for the profession

There is still some debate surrounding the acceptance of piercings and tattoos, but for tattoo artist Kimani Smith, he has a passion for creating beauty through his body art.

Smith, who goes by the moniker Kiwi Khalifa, has his own studio in Premier Plaza in St Andrew. The 20-year-old believes the art form is underappreciated, something he is seeking to change. He started on his artistic journey while at Ascot High School in Portmore.

"You know in high school I used to have some friends that give some trouble, and one day the dean of discipline asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I started to consider doing tattoos," he said. Smith said it was through the teachings of fellow tattoo artists Keenan and Romie Prince that he was able to learn and adapt. He did his first tattoo at age 16.

"My mother never got a tattoo in her life before but she said she's going to support her son. She was the person I gave the first tattoo," he smiled.

His clientele includes customers over age 50. "I don't discriminate. I get any age and any gender. It doesn't matter really," he said.

Although COVID-19 has hampered many businesses, Smith said he has still been getting customers.

He assured the news team that he incorporates the necessary protocols in his practice and encourages his customers to do the same.

When THE STAR visited his studio, he wasn't shy to show off his skills on a client. He carefully stencilled out his design with great precision.

"Before starting any tattoo, make sure the artist is using a new needle from a sealed package," he said.

He went into deep concentration as his hands steadily created the permanent design on the client's body. The skilful Smith completed the tattoos in five minutes.

He said that a typical day varies, as it is dependent on the size of the tattoos he is doing.

"The weirdest tattoo I've ever done is a puppy's paw under the big toe. Another time a girl asked me to do a tattoo of the male genital on her leg," he said.

Smith is asking for more respect for tattoo artists. He agreed that persons do not easily accept his craft and is advocating for there to be a framework to allow for the opportunity to gain a licence to work as tattoo artists and piercers.

"Right now, we are registered as beauty therapists. But we want a licence so that we can take it to another level, so that we can operate a tattoo school or tattoo competitions. We want more respect for our trade," he said. He has no plans to stop creating art on the human body, as he boasts his full sleeve tattoo and others.