If Gus’s memory is as inextricably linked to art as he claims – “I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember” – then it follows that after exploring a few of life’s other vocational offerings, he would eventually return to it. Gus studied graphic design at Enmore TAFE, graduating in 2000, and after working in the field for a few years, decided to swap it for travel. He took up carpentry and building before the desire to return to art led him, in 2009, to tattooing. He joined the LDF team in May 2012.
Gus’s work has a wide range, encompassing everything from traditional old-school, comic-book-style, to Oriental and more modern images steeped in fantasy or realism. He also enjoys quirky and original work and helping people realise their custom tattoos: “Basically, I’m happy to work on anything … except the first page of Google images!”
He has a keen interest in the work of Taiwanese-American visual artist James Jean, but also cites his colleagues at LDF as being a great influence: “I really admire the work of the artists here – especially Angus and Les. I find what the others do pushes you and inspires you.”
And if he hadn’t finally ventured into the world of tattooing? “I’d probably be driving a forklift in a dark warehouse. Actually no, I’d probably be travelling.”
Gus works at the Newtown studio Tuesdays to Saturdays.
