Meet Ilkim Koc | Microrealism and geometric fineline tattoo artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ilkim Koc and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ilkim, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success has been a combination of patience, hard work, and staying open to trying new things. I believe growth takes time, and I’ve always been willing to invest the necessary effort while continuously experimenting, learning and evolving. Every challenge taught me something valuable, and staying flexible and curious allowed my brand to keep moving forward in a meaningful and authentic way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work sits in the space between microrealism and geometric fineline, but what matters to me is not just the style — it’s the feeling behind it. I’m interested in tattoos that are subtle, intentional, and deeply personal. I like the quiet kind of expression, where the details are soft and precise, and the meaning is something only the wearer truly knows. I think there’s strength in understatement.

Getting here was a long process. It took patience, repetition, and a lot of learning through trial, error, and showing up again the next day. Nothing about it was easy — but I’ve learned to respect slow growth. I’ve learned to listen more — to myself, to the people I work with, and to the stories clients bring into the studio. That connection is the real part of this work for me.

What sets my brand apart is the approach:
I don’t just place a design on someone — I work with their rhythm, their energy, their story.
Every tattoo is a collaboration, a quiet moment of trust between two humans. And that’s what I value most — not the image itself, but the experience of making something meaningful together.

I’m still evolving, still refining.
The work is ongoing — and that’s the part I love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, I’d definitely start with the museums — The Met and The National Gallery are places I return to often, especially when I need to reconnect with my own work. There’s something grounding about walking through those rooms and seeing how time moves through art.

For views, I’d take them to Top of the Rock — the skyline from there hits differently. Then we’d slow down with a walk through Central Park, and later wander the High Line for that mix of history, city texture, and open sky.

For food, we’d go to Anixi — even if they’re not vegan. The atmosphere and the flavors are worth the experience on their own.

Locally, I’d keep things close to Williamsburg and Greenpoint — my favorite neighborhoods. We’d grab coffee from Oslo, take a slow walk through McCarren Park, and just enjoy the neighborhood rhythm.

At some point, we’d bike across the Williamsburg Bridge into DUMBO to watch the Manhattan skyline shift with the light. And I’d end at least one day on the East River Ferry — it’s simple, but there’s something peaceful about seeing the city from the water. It reminds you where you are.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to the artists who shaped my journey — not just through their work, but through their presence.
My tattoo artist friends Okan Uckun and Orkan Yılan have been both tattoo artists and mentors in different moments of my growth — the kind of people you learn from simply by sharing space, energy, and conversation.

I also draw inspiration from artists like Dimitry Troshin and Alex Sorsa — their discipline, detail and commitment to craft continue to influence how I approach my own work every day.

And of course, my clients — the ones who choose to carry my art on their skin. They’re the reason this journey keeps evolving.

This path is about connection, refinement, and never standing still.
We grow. We refine. We go again.

Instagram: ilkimkoctattooer