Exhibition “L’Art du tatouage au Japon” 2025

Curated by Xavier Durand

An Unexpected Honor: My Work at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne

I’ll admit — this post is long overdue. But sometimes it takes a little distance to truly grasp the weight of a moment, and this was one of those moments.

This past summer, I had the privilege of being invited to participate in L’Art du Tatouage au Japon, an exhibition hosted at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne, running from June 21st to September 28th, 2025. It wasn’t until some time had passed that it really sank in — my work, hanging in a fine arts museum, alongside the work of masters of the craft. That’s not something I take lightly.

I made the trip to Carcassonne with my dear friend Mara, whose tattooed back I did was one of the pieces on display. Seeing both my tattoo work and my paintings exhibited in that setting was a surreal and deeply moving experience. And as a bonus — I finally got to visit the medieval city I’d always wanted to explore. It did not disappoint.

The exhibition catalogue deserves a special mention. It’s a beautifully researched piece in its own right, exploring the cultural roots of Japanese tattooing with a depth that genuinely taught me things I didn’t know. That alone made the experience richer.

The vernissage was pure joy. I loved meeting fellow tattoo artists, painters, writers, and a wonderful mix of personalities. The 40°C southern French heat was, let’s say, diplomatically managed with a generous flow of rosé — which only made the evening more convivial and memorable.

To Xavier — thank you. For the invitation, the trust, and the belief in this work. I am truly honored.

Xavier had the kindness to inform me about did 23.200 entrance for this exhibition. A record for this museum since it has opened.