Patryk Hilton – “Z igły widły” (exhibition)

Patryk Hilton – “Z igły widły”

There are several types of tattoos, including, among others, artistic and prison tattoos. The most common stereotype associated with artistic tattooing is linking it to the criminal underworld. Today, there are many professional tattoo studios, as well as professional tattoo artists and people who get tattoos, yet tattooing still exists under the shadow of prevailing stereotypes and continues to carry a criminal connotation. However, the tattoo, understood as a permanent drawing on the skin, was not born in prison facilities. Its history reaches back as far as the history of music – it has been known to humanity since prehistory.

The process of normalizing tattoos happened so quickly that many people are unaware or have simply forgotten how young artistic tattooing still is in Poland. The professionalization of this art form began with the establishment of the first tattoo studios, which only emerged after the fall of the communist system in 1989. Since then, numerous places and skilled artists have appeared, creating permanent designs on the skin in sterile conditions, using proper machines and pigments, with a focus on aesthetics and a high artistic standard.

A great example of an artist working within the spirit of artistic tattooing—recognized not only locally—is Patryk Hilton, who runs his „Love Tattoos” studio in Bydgoszcz. Tattooing since 2010, he has developed a unique style that combines the classical tradition of artistic tattooing with modern and contemporary motifs. He merges tradition with an innovative approach. His projects are characterized by strong lines, high contrasts, and intensely saturated colors. The visuals created with the needle also permeate other artistic media, as Hilton’s distinctive aesthetic, developed through tattooing, extends beyond skin onto posters, clothing, and accessories. These include not only tattoo designs, but also a carpet and large-scale works made on Tyvek material—famously used by tattoo legend Ed Hardy. The exhibition as part of the Fonomo Music & Film Festival provides an opportunity to showcase Hilton’s works inspired by specific music genres, albums, or songs.

Patryk Hilton – A graduate of the Fine Arts High School in Bydgoszcz and the Magdalena Abakanowicz University of the Arts in Poznań. He draws inspiration from the world around him and often engages with themes closely connected to his life at a given moment. His work is influenced by nature, music, and pop culture. One of his most recognizable series is Landscape, featuring the motif of the sun. He has won several awards, mainly in the field of classical tattoo aesthetics. Hilton has worked in European cultural capitals such as London, Berlin, and Amsterdam, which greatly contributed to the development of his awareness of tattooing as a phenomenon, as well as of design and art in a broader sense. He currently runs his Love Tattoos studio on Długa Street in Bydgoszcz.

Exhibition Curator: Remigiusz Boruszewski
Edited by: Amelia Wielicka