Denis Torikashvili, known in the tattoo world as Tidan, hails from Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, a city where his journey into tattooing began in 1997. In a time when tattoo information was scarce, Tidan navigated challenging conditions to pursue his passion.
His acquisition of a Micky Sharpz tattoo machine marked the serious commencement of his tattooing career. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he immersed himself in sketching and sought out emerging online tattoo communities and forums. Tidan’s dedication led him to the St. Petersburg tattoo convention, where he first participated in 2005 and achieved his first award in 2006 – Best of the Day for a black and grey portrait. This early success highlighted his aptitude for black and grey work, even as he explored various styles while working in Rostov tattoo shops and eventually opening his own studio.
Tidan’s repertoire included Japanese, ornamental, American traditional, and realism tattoos. He holds deep respect for traditional styles, recognizing their demand for cultural understanding and stylistic immersion. However, 2014 marked a significant turning point when he relocated to Moscow and embarked on a phase of reinvention. Experimentation became his focus as he created collages and sought to translate unique concepts onto skin. A Sackboy tattoo, inspired by the PlayStation game Little Big Planet, unexpectedly became a viral sensation.
The popularity of his “funny cute characters” style was a revelation, yet in 2016, Tidan channeled his artistic energy towards black and grey tattoos. This marked a focused commitment to the style where he had already demonstrated early talent. His expertise in black and grey realism grew as he traveled extensively as a guest artist and participated in numerous tattoo conventions, accumulating accolades along the way. Since 2019, Denis Tidan has been a resident artist at the prestigious Vatican Studios in Lake Forest, CA, solidifying his position as a master in Black And Grey Realism Tattoo art on an international stage.
