Tattoo artist who’s inked Liam Gallagher reveals the one body part he’d NEVER cover (and, no, it’s not rude)
Lal Hardy, 59, began working in the tattoo industry in the ‘70s during the punk era
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A TATTOO artist who has inked Liam Gallagher, Dave Grohl and Dermot O’Leary has revealed the one body part he’d never cover.
, 59, began working in the industry in the ‘70s during the punk era. He owns , which is based in Muswell Hill, North London.
Lal got his first tattoo aged 17, and now 90 per cent of his body is covered in designs - but there is one area of skin he will never cover on himself, or clients.
“I would never get my face or head done. And I don’t do facial tattooing on people,” he told The Sun Online. “The generation I’m from, if you’ve got a tattoo on your face, you definitely aren’t getting a job.
“I don’t say that’s right or wrong - people should be judged on ability not looks - but it is one of those things. If you’re dealing with the public some employers don’t want them.
"I don’t want the responsibility of doing something that's so visible all the time.”
Lal also draws the line at politically provocative inkings.
“I don’t do tattoos of a political nature or ones that could be construed as racist,” he said.
“Growing up in the punk era, there was a lot of radical views. I’m sure a lot of those old punks are glad they aren’t walking round now with some of the images they asked for.
"I've recently seen some Donald Trump - for and against - tattoos. Come on! Are you going to want that in five years time?"
Lal, who has also inked JLS, All Saints, Liberty X and a host of footballers, says TV and celebrity culture has driven certain trends.
“Pinterest and reality TV shows, like Miami Ink, has really brought tattooing to the masses,” he said.
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“When David Beckham first had his angel and Cheryl Cole had that tattoo on the side of her hand lots of people came in and asked to have those images.
"It was incredible the influence Becks' tattoo style had on young players. A lot of them have since had full sleeves in black and grey. A lot of them had religious iconography.”
Lal remembers tattooing Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher in the '90s.
“I did years and years ago when he was with Patsy Kensit,” he said. “I tattooed Patsy [Kensit, his then wife] on him and Liam on her."
For anyone considering an inking, Lal's top tip is to not rush into it.
“Do your research and find an artist whose work you like," he said. "Work out the placement of the tattoo on your body. It’ll be there forever.
"You also need to think closely about the design. Will you still want it in the future?
"And, always make sure the shop is registered and health registered.”
Meanwhile, proud parents are getting tattoos of their babies permanently inked onto their bodies.
And, people are getting illusion tattoos around their navels.
Lal’s shop appears in by Tom Angell (Hardie Grant £12.99)
He will also be appearing at , which takes place 22-24 September 2017. Ticket information is here.
