Meet TAIOM da Selva | Visual and Tattoo artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with TAIOM da Selva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TAIOM, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Tattooing is about exchanging, like ever. It was how the technique spread through millenia, by humans sharing their experiences to each other. Believing in this core, I felt an urge to move around and get in contact with as many scenarios as possible, which putted me tattooing in many different conditions, in many different studios in Brazil, Europe and now here in the United States, allowing me experience a wide range of ways to live in a space dedicated to tattoo. So I keep in movement as a way to avoid being stagnated and closed on my own thoughts, blind to the emerging mutation of the craft and its cultural relation to the zeitgeist. I wanna see what is going around and be able to participate in that as best as I can.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The way I approach tattooing is closely tied to the style I employ in my projects. Considering the body as a political entity always in relation with society and culture, I aim to create designs aligned with dissident perspectives, diverging from mainstream fashion or tattoo trends. I intend to offer individuals a visual representation that makes them feel both comfortable and empowered. This involves blending their personal concepts and philosophies with abstract shapes, gestural lines, and raw textures, thereby highlighting the uniqueness of each anatomy and their existing marks.

It wasn’t a smooth way to get to this point of understanding of what I do, hell no. It took an amount of time to learn from many different sources, from Anthropology and Sociology to Semiotic and Contemporary Art. And most important, with all the people that i meet tattooing at the studio or chatting at the bar. All that matters when it comes to an artwork profoundly linked to the human body and life.

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.
As an immigrant who arrived just two years ago, I’m still learning how to discover hidden gems in Los Angeles. I’ve already found some spots that I love, either through friends’ recommendations or by stumbling upon them during my walks, which adds a delightful element of surprise. Take, for instance, Las Perlas, an incredible mezcaleria in West Hollywood that I discovered on my way. They serve fantastic drinks (with mezcal, of course), play good music, and have a cozy bar with really nice tacos.

Another spot I enjoy is Bar Lis on Tuesdays, where they host an amazing live jazz concert, creating such a good vibe! GoldLine is also on my list; they make exceptional Caipirinhas (world-famous Brazilian cocktails) and always have an incredible DJ set on vinyl.

I also like attending after-hours raves in Downtown, although they’re always in hidden spots, and the location is announced just a couple of hours before. Still, it’s always worth it.

Leo Tacos, on the corner of Western and Sunset Blvd, holds a special place on my must-visit list.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My journey over the last two decades wouldn’t have been the same without the trust of all those who have been tattooed by me. I deeply appreciate those who choose my work to transform their bodies for life. It holds great meaning and power. Many of them have also changed my life by sharing their knowledge and life experiences with me. It’s impossible to name them all and express the variety of ways they’ve helped, cared, and supported me. But if I had to mention just one, it would be Luisa Dalé, my wife. We’ve had the deepest conversations not only about art and work but also about ourselves and the human condition. These discussions have greatly aided my understanding of my role as a tattoo artist and the myriad questions that intersect with this craft.

Website: www.taiom.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taiomvct/