Emmanuel Item, a Nigerian-Austrian tattoo artist, has transformed his passion for drawing into a celebration of African heritage. Inspired by traditional Nigerian art forms, he draws on Uli and Nsibidi designs, centuries-old motifs once used for body decoration, murals, and communication. Through annual trips to his ancestral village of Afikpo, Item studies fabrics, architecture, and traditional tattoos, translating these patterns into contemporary tattoos in Vienna. His work offers people of African descent—especially those in the diaspora—a tangible connection to their roots, turning skin into a “living archive” of memory, identity, and culture. With nearly 100 original designs, Item continues to explore West African art and aims to create a hub for cultural learning through tattoos and art.
CNN
