Denis Torikashvili, also known as Tidan, hails from Rostov-on-Don in Southern Russia, a region where his tattoo journey began in 1997. In a time when tattoo information was scarce, Tidan navigated challenging conditions to pursue his passion, starting with his first Micky Sharpz machine. His early years were marked by a dedicated search for knowledge and the beginnings of his artistic sketching. As tattoo forums and online communities emerged, Tidan connected with a wider world of tattooing, marking the start of his professional growth in the industry.
Participating in the St. Petersburg tattoo convention in 2005 was a pivotal moment, leading to his first award in 2006 for a black and gray portrait, recognized as the best tattoo of the day. During this period, Tidan honed his skills in various tattoo shops in Rostov before establishing his own studio. His repertoire expanded to include Japanese, ornamental, and American traditional styles, alongside realism, each approached with deep respect and a commitment to cultural understanding. However, a significant shift occurred in 2014 when Tidan decided to relocate to Moscow, embarking on a new chapter in his artistic development.
In Moscow, Tidan embraced experimentation, creating unique collages and translating his distinctive visions onto skin. The creation of a Sackboy tattoo, inspired by the Little Big Planet game, unexpectedly became a turning point. This playful and endearing character design resonated widely, solidifying Tidan’s signature style, characterized by funny and cute figures. While he enjoyed the popularity of this style, 2016 marked another evolution as Tidan focused his artistic energy increasingly on black and grey tattoos, a domain where realism began to take center stage in his work.
Tidan’s career gained international momentum through extensive travels as a guest artist and participation in numerous tattoo conventions, earning him further accolades and recognition. Since 2019, he has been a resident artist at Vatican Studios in Lake Forest, CA. This transition underscores his commitment to pushing the boundaries of Realism Tattoos and connecting with a global audience. His journey reflects a continuous exploration and refinement of his craft, particularly within the demanding and intricate field of realism tattooing.
