MANH HUYNH

At the intersection of traditional Japanese tattooing and your favorite childhood cartoons, you’ll find artist Manh Hunyn. Born and raised in Vietnam, Hunyn developed a passion for continuing the legacy of Japanese tattooing but with his own unique flair. By incorporating beloved cartoon characters into traditional motifs, Hunyn has taken the centuries-old art into a new frontier. In Hunyn’s universe, Tom of “Tom and Jerry” has ditched the self-destructive cycle of humiliation at the hands of a mischievous mouse for an irezumi bodysuit and a life spent shooting hoops. Through the combination of his fertile imagination and impeccable skill, anything is possible in Hunyn’s world.

Take us through your upbringing in Vietnam and what led you to becoming a tattoo artist. The learning environment in Vietnam isn’t suitable for tattoo development. Many people don't have sympathy for it. For instance, a person with a tattoo is usually considered a criminal or a bad influence. Only in recent years have people started to accept and have an objective opinion toward tattooing.

I’ve had a passion for painting and fine art since I was a child. My first time seeing tattoos on skin, I was impressed and really wanted to try it. That’s what stimulated me to study and practice this type of art.

What is the tattoo scene like in Vietnam and how has it changed? Tattooing in Vietnam has developed slowly in comparison to the rest of the world. However, recently it has become more widely recognized and has progressed considerably, catching up with the international tattoo world. This is because more and more of us tattoo artists have been working conventions abroad.