Thabiso Permanis’s business is to transform an ordinary body into a body of art.
Born in Diepkloof Zone 6, Soweto, Permanis – better known as Tazz – uses his bedroom in his three-roomed house as a tattoo studio. The room is filled with pictures of his magnificent work.
“What I do has been a calling. I started doing this work about nine years ago and it was like nothing I’ve ever done or experienced before. I have loved it ever since,” he says.
Tattoos have in the past been associated with gangsterism and the underworld, but Tazz says that is no longer the case. And the clients are getting younger.
“I occasionally get clients who are 18 years or younger who are accompanied by their parents, and that just goes to show that the older generation has come to terms with the understanding of body art and why young people do it,” Tazz says.
Lerato is at the studio for her first tattoo. She can’t hold back her excitement. “I have never had a tattoo before, and I have been contemplating getting one since last May. Today I’m not turning back, I am getting it,” she says.
What tattoo is she getting?
“Leerah,” she says, which is an alternative for “Lerato”. This will be on her right shoulder.
Lerato says her tattoo signifies her being grown and mature enough to take a stance and responsibility for herself and her body. “I finally have the courage to do this and that means I have grown. I am really proud of myself,” she says excitedly.
The business of tattoos has grown immensely in the township. More and more young people now have the urge to do what they call “a white man’s thing”.
“The detail of a tattoo is what is most important, and I like to design quality – not something that will make a person regret why they got inked in the first place,” he says.
Tazz’s small work space gets crowded daily – he gets up to nine clients on a busy day.
“I have to make everyone happy with the job I do, and I do that to the best of my ability.”