Dr Woo is one of the world’s most sought after tattooists, a pioneer of single needle artistry who trained under the legendary Mark Mahoney, taking what he learned out of the tattoo parlor and onto the global stage via art and fashion. Find him at his private LA studio, Hideaway, or constantly on the move. It might be difficult to book a session with Woo but that doesn’t make him any less of a nice guy – or one of the best people to get lost with.
What do you find beautiful?
Art, people and nature. They invoke a feeling that I can only describe as beauty. As a creative, they’re my muses. The geometry of nature is so beautiful. How webs are formed, how insects are built, how humans bond to each other.
Do you care how you look?
I do. I think our appearance is the visual language of who we are and I’m always looking for that forever uniform. The perfect pair of jeans, perfect leather jacket, perfect boots. But I haven’t found it yet. I’m also just a shopaholic so I have 50 pairs of boots, 200 pairs of jeans. I love something that ages as you wear it. I’m obsessed with the Alien films and how all the characters look like they’re wearing workwear from the future.
Have you ever traded goods or acquired anything using something other than money?
One of the oldest phrases in tattooing is, “have gun, will travel.” You have one little case with your materials, and you can go anywhere and set up shop and work, as a tradesman, in exchange for places to stay, meals, time with people. You get into different rooms and conversations than you maybe would otherwise.
What’s brotherhood to you?
Sometimes the friends and people that you care about or that care about you in the same way aren’t just immediate family members, they’re family that you adopt. It’s a stable foundation of humans who support each other unconditionally. I have that with some friends. There’s a group chat.
When have you ever felt most like you’re part of a community?
Sometimes I don’t feel I am in one. My friends and my brotherhood are my community, but as for the tattoo community or the art community, I’ve always been an outsider. It’s hard to admit it but it’s true. So I don’t know. Maybe that’s imposter syndrome?
What have you created that you’re most proud of?
Other than my kids? The tattoo career I’ve built. I don’t give myself enough credit for how influential it’s been, that I did set off a little earthquake in the world of tattooing. I didn’t invent fine line tattooing in black and grey. But I brought it to a mainstream audience and whether or not the kids know who I am, they’re influenced. Saying that, I always feel like I’m missing something. There’s the infinite loop of wanting to get better at something and not knowing if I’ll ever get there.
What has your work taught you about life more broadly?
That old saying: “you get out of something as much as you put in” is so true! It can be applied to work, relationships, friendships. I can be working on a project and think I did enough, but when it all comes to fruition, I always know that I wouldn’t have been happy with it if I had stopped an hour earlier, or taken a day off right then.
Have you ever got hopelessly lost?
One week out of the month at least. You know when you’re talking to business partners, and there are questions like, “what’s your five year plan?” I feel like I should have one after all these years, but I’m still not sure. It all goes back to this restless artist thing and sometimes the best way to navigate that is to push forward. Some people get so lost in their heads, they don’t look at what’s right in front of them, and that’s important too.
When and where have you felt most alive?
Japan. I remember my first time ever in Tokyo. I thought, “oh my god, what is this place?” I like the hustle and bustle of the city, the nooks and crannies. You can get lost there in a good way. I love the way it’s sad and beautiful at the same time. Visiting Japan is going to a place that’s completely different to the rest of the world, but is still progressive and modern.
What would you cook someone to impress them?
Sushi. I love sushi, and there’s such a skill to it. But in reality, I can’t cook. I can’t cook anything that will impress anybody. I need to watch more TikToks.
Interview by Jessie Brinton
All photos courtesy Dr. Woo
drwoo.com
