| Stéphane Chaudesaigues | |
|---|---|
Stéphane Chaudesaigues |
|
| Born | 1968 Versailles, France |
| Occupation | Tattoo artist |
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Stéphane Chaudesaigues[1] came to tattooing at 15 years old. Although trying hard to find a mentor that would teach him this mysterious art he was unsuccessful in finding an apprenticeship with a professional tattoo artist. He then decided to go out on his own and teach himself. So he read all the books he could find on the techniques used by the master painters of the past. Thanks to this approach, he not only understood the techniques used in tattooing, but he gained a broader general knowledge of the arts which gave him solid bases and eventually led him to create a new pictorial style,[2] photorealism.
In 1987, Stéphane opens in Avignon Vaucluse his first tattoo studio called “Art Tattoo” with the help of his brother Patrick Chaudesaigues, an already well-known artist at the time (tattoo artist, sculptor, painter, and makers of fine tattoo machines.[3] Thanks to the immediate success that followed, “Art Tattoo” becomes “Graphicaderme” in 1989; a brand that will count up to 8 locations[4] in France.
Not content with winning over the French territory with his art and technique, Stéphane then decides to go showcasing his work on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, specifically at a New Jersey tattoo convention.[5] There, his talent and skills instantly make him a force to be reckoned with and he soon becomes an international tattoo star. Thanks to his newfound fame, he is able to collaborate with some of the biggest names of his profession: Shane O’Neill,[6] Nikko Hurtado, Tim Kern, Dane Marshall, Liorcifer,[7] Bugs, Tony Ciavarro[8],, Carson Hill,[9] Mike Demasi, Mike Devries, Joshua Carlton, Lukas Zpira, Satomi, and finally James Kern. The latter will even say of Stéphane that:
“This is why I came to Paris. My understanding of the French tattoo scene was very limited, but I have met some extremely talented artists. When I was still learning to tattoo I used to see Stéphane Chaudesaigues’ works of art all the time in American magazines and he is for sure one of my inspirations and someone I wanted to emulate. I think Stéphane has influenced most of the artists that do photorealistic protraits. He was the first one to break away from the old classic techniques using shadows to create outlines giving a painting-like quality to the tattoo”.[10]
Stéphane’s tattoo studios in Paris and Avignon soon became important destinations for the internationally known artists touring Europe. Finally, his efforts pay off when in 1995, the National Tattoo Association (aka NTA) awards Stéphane with the “Artist of the Year” title.[11]
In 2005, Stéphane Chaudesaigues marches on Paris with the French SNAT (National Syndicate of Tattoo Artists) to protest against the lack of recognition given to tattoo artists in the French legal system.[12]
In 2006, Stéphane opens “La Bête Humaine”, his flagship studio, in the heart of the trendy and alternative “Marais”[1] neighborhood of Paris. This very personal project is more than just a tattoo studio, but is also a photography studio and an art gallery.
Stéphane has collaborates with many tattoo artists in his life.[13] Recently his colleagues include David Coste,[14] Pierre-Gilles Romieu,[15] and his son Steven Chaudesaigues.[16]
Stéphane has also had the opportunity to collaborate with one of the most famous shoemaker in the world, John Lobb, co-creating of a pair of shoes that would incarnate the city of Paris.[17]
Over his career, Stéphane Chaudesaigues has appeared repeatedly in French and International publications.[18] For example, the book “Customizing the body: the art and culture of tattooing” traces back the beginnings of the photorealistic style back to the early 1990s and names Tin-tin fr:Tin-tin and Stéphane Chaudesaigues as the two French tattoo pioneers that created the style. “L’Express”,[19] a very famous French magazine dedicated to world news, politics, and culture named Stépahne as one of the best artists in Paris. Also, Stéphane’s work has been published countless times over the years in specialty and trade magazines such as: 11/97 Cover of Tatouage Magazine[20] issue nº2 with centerfold article;[21] 01/98 Skin Deep nº161,[22] 10/08 Rise nº3 and nº9;[23] 08/09 Hard Rock Magazine nº25,[24] Prick Magazine where Steven Chaudesaigues is shown holding one of the many trophies his father has won over his career.[25] In 2011, Inked Magazine gives its first cover to Stéphane, dedicating an entire article to retracing the unusual career.
Much like Stéphane and Patrick’s ancestor and knight of the legion of honor[26] Eusèbe Joseph Adolphe Chaudesaigues, and founder of the Prix Chaudesaigues at the Beaux Arts of Paris school, the two brothers have emulated their ancestor and created the Chaudesaigues Award.[27] Léon Jaussely, the famous architect, was among the laureates to win the original award created by Eusèbe Joseph Adolphe Chaudesaigues.
For its first edition the presentation of the trophy will take place at Best of the Midwest, the convention organized by the famous and very talented Shane O’Neill in February 2012.
The Chaudesaigues Award rewards the career and the artistic choices of a tattoo artist[28]. The prize will be bequeathed during an international tattoo convention. For 2012, the jury[29] will consist of Nikko Hurtado, Shane O’Neill, Boris Zalaszam, Andréa Afferni, and other prestigious honorary members such as Victor Portugal, Pedro Alvarez, Madame Vyvyn Lazonga, Brian Everett, Joe Capobianco and Bob Tyrrell.[30]
