Certified Artist 2026

Viktor Hír

Black and Grey Abstract Realism – A Personal Journey

Interview

My name is Viktor Hír, and I come from Kolárovo, a small town in Slovakia.

Art has been part of my life since childhood. I spent most of my free time drawing. I have always loved to draw — it brings me joy, but it also challenges me. Many of my early sketches were driven by emotion; some were playful, others less understandable, yet all were meaningful to me. As the years passed, it became increasingly clear that my path would somehow be connected to drawing.

I was around ten years old when tattooing first truly caught my attention. On the street where I grew up, one of the older guys had a tattoo of a naked female devil. I simply couldn’t take my eyes off it. At that time, we didn’t have internet access at home, so inspiration wasn’t just a click away. I tried to get my hands on tattoo magazines whenever possible and admired every single design I saw. I didn’t realize it then, but that fascination would later define my life.

I wanted to get a tattoo myself, but my parents understandably opposed the idea. Back then, I had no idea that one day I would become a tattoo artist.

The year 2012 marked a turning point in my life. That was when I received my first tattoo and attended my first tattoo convention — initially as an observer. It was also at that event that I purchased my first tattoo machine. What had once been curiosity became commitment.

Before owning my own equipment, the tattoo artist who created my first tattoo lent me a machine to practice. I trained on pig skin purchased from a local butcher, mostly tattooing skulls and flowers. My first “live canvas” was my older sister, followed by my stepfather, who allowed me to practice on him as well. I remain deeply grateful to them for their trust.

Style and Artistic Development

My style is black and grey realism, with a strong focus on abstract realism. I am drawn to this approach because it offers freedom while demanding precision. Achieving the correct balance of contrast is not always simple, and perhaps that is exactly what continues to challenge and motivate me. I enjoy working at the intersection where realistic detail meets abstract composition.

After 14 years in tattooing, I can confidently say that every guest spot and every studio I worked in contributed significantly to my development.

In 2014, I had my first guest spot in Greece, thanks to my friend Furucz Misi. Working alongside him taught me a great deal — not only technically, but also in terms of professional mindset.

In 2015, I began working in Chemnitz, Germany, at Heaven of Colours Tattoo Studio. This became my first consistent base abroad, where I returned regularly for four years. During that time, I also worked occasionally in Frankfurt, exposing myself to different artistic environments and styles.

In 2018, I had the opportunity to be tattooed by the well-known artist Boris. This experience was a major milestone. He gave me constructive feedback on my work, shared valuable advice, and his positive energy had a lasting impact on me. That period marked a shift in my mindset — I began consciously striving to create stronger, more distinctive, and more dynamic designs.

In 2019, I started working in Langenzenn, Germany, at Sweet Pain Tattoo Studio. Later, in 2020, I also worked at Human Inkstinct in Bonn, gaining further experience and perspective.

In March 2022, I began working in Switzerland at Blade and Shade Tattoo Studio, while still maintaining my presence in Germany. Switzerland became an important chapter in my artistic growth, particularly in large-scale design projects. I started receiving full sleeve commissions, which I thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy to this day.

In September 2023, I concluded my work in Germany and remained active in Switzerland. In early 2024, my partner, Bianka Hacsik, and I decided to open our own studio in our hometown of Kolárovo, Slovakia. By that time, she was already tattooing as well. In January 2025, we officially opened INKceptiO’n Tattoo Studio. Despite running our own studio, we continue to return to Switzerland as guest artists at Blade and Shade.

The Creative Process

For me, tattooing is a structured yet intuitive journey from concept to execution.

Communication with the client is essential. Every project begins with a personal consultation, where the client explains what they want and why. During this conversation, I guide them toward a direction that aligns with my artistic vision, while finding the right balance between their idea and my expertise. Even as we speak, dozens of images begin forming in my mind — I start mentally building the composition.

For large projects, such as a full sleeve, I wrap the client’s arm in transparent foil and map out the muscle structure and key guiding lines. Once removed and laid flat, this creates a precise template of the entire arm, allowing me to design with accuracy and flow.

Designing can take several hours, sometimes more. However, through persistence and attention to detail, I ensure that the final design reflects my artistic standards. The client typically sees the completed design on the day of the session, and fortunately, the vast majority respond positively. After printing and fitting the stencil to the arm, the tattooing process begins.

The Industry Today and Future Goals

Over the past decade, the tattoo industry has evolved tremendously. Social media has provided artists with unprecedented exposure, enabling remarkable creative freedom and innovation. In the era of printed magazines, this level of global visibility would have been unimaginable.

At 35, I sometimes feel like a veteran in the field, constantly working to renew myself and keep pace with the new generation of artists. It is not always easy, but my goal remains continuous growth — experimenting with new ideas, refining compositions, and pushing my artistic boundaries further.

I have always been drawn to detail; I can lose myself in it completely. In the future, I would also like to dedicate more time to painting, as a freer and more meditative form of artistic expression that can further deepen my visual language.