Mo Coppoletta is one of the world's most respected tattoo artists. He established The Family Business Tattoo shop in 2003 in the heart of London with the aim of creating a new setting for tattoos enthusiasts, a shop with a different approach and a unique environment. The shop has built a strong following among tattoo enthusiasts and is now internationally renowned for its high standards of creativity and talented artists. His book, Tattooed by The Family Business will be released Autumn 2010 by Pavilion Books. A Limited Edition will be published simultaneously by Heartbreak Publishing.
What made you decide to participate in the "Childhood Heroes" exhibition? What do you like about the concept?
I was really flattered to be asked to contribute a piece of work for the exhibition as I strongly believe that it is a noble cause. I also thought that the theme was really fun and I knew I could create a piece of work that was fun, creative and hopefully help raise money for a good cause. My childhood heroes were always people from my family - my Mother but also musicians and Verona football players(!) and I think it's important to not only celebrate our heroes but also to tell the younger generation about them and how they've influenced our work.
How long have you been tattooing?
I've been tattooing for over 13 years but I've been drawing, designing and creating art work all my life. I'm happiest when I'm drawing or sketching out an idea, knowing that it can be turned into a beautiful piece. I founded my parlour, The Family Business in 2003 which has fortunately been very successful and I now have the opportunity to work outside of the tattoo industry on other creative projects. But tattooing will always be my first love.
Which artists influenced you inside and outside of tattooing? How?
Being born in Italy and my Dad being an antique dealer, since an early age I've been exposed to a infinite amount of decorative arts and iconography. My influences are too many to mention! But I would have to immediately say that religious 19th Century prints that ornate every grandmother's bedroom to the most influential Renaissance painters: Leonardo da Vinci, Velazquez (for his technique), Caravaggio (for his dramatic paintings) and Rubens. A few years ago I was really taken by the Romantic Movement of the late 18th Century, so Van Holst, Fuseli for their dark emotional paintings. I always loved decorative arts so William Morris springs to mind. More recently the Futurist movement of the 30's is definitely a favourite of mine. I also love the graphics of propaganda posters from the first half of the 20th Century.
I'm always heavily influenced by everyday life so anything can inspire me: from a cast iron gate to a lamp post! Music also has been a big part of my life, that's why I've been involved in creating graphics and designs for the music industry including the recent project with The Prodigy.
What do you think is the best part of your job?
Well waking up each morning knowing that I'm doing what I love is pretty good! But I have to say it's meeting people that makes my job so special. Not only the other tattoo artists that I meet at conventions or who work alongside me at The Family Business but the clients as well. One minute I'm having an in depth conversation with a nurse or an accountant, the next it's a musician or writer. My job has allowed me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people that has influence new projects that I work on. Meeting the artist, Jack Vettriano has led me to releasing a book this Autumn and potentially having an exhibition in London.
What are you plans for the future?
As I just mentioned, I have a book, Tattooed by The Family Business which is being released in September by Pavilion Books. I'm really excited about it - I worked with two incredible photographers who have captured not only my artwork and the atmosphere of The Family Business but they have images of our clients and the work from The Family Business. There's going to be an exhibition to coincide with the book release and we are creating a very special Limited Edition too which will feature my artwork. I'm so excited.
I'm also in discussion with music labels about creating artwork for albums and I'm looking at a fashion house collaboration as well.
Interview: Iris Bitter
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