World’s Best Tattoo Artists for 2026 Revealed, With Seven Australians Making the Cut

• SKINGRAPHICA has revealed its 2026 Global Artist Rankings, recognising ten Black Ivy recipients and a separate group of 100 GRAPHICA tattoo artists.
• Neither list is numerically ranked; artists are recognised as peers within their respective tiers rather than assigned individual positions.
• Seven Australian tattoo artists feature in the GRAPHICA Top 100, including five based in Melbourne, one in Brisbane and another in Perth.

Seven Australian tattoo artists have been named among the world’s best for 2026, with Melbourne accounting for five of the local names recognised in SKINGRAPHICA’s newly announced Global Artist Rankings.

But before we jump into city rivalries and argue over who’s number one in the world of ink and needles, this World’s Best list has a catch. Despite the name, these aren’t conventional rankings. SKINGRAPHICA doesn’t award individual positions or declare a single world’s best tattoo artist. Instead, it recognises ten artists through its highest Black Ivy distinction, alongside a separate group of 100 artists awarded GRAPHICA status. Both lists are presented alphabetically, with artists considered peers within their respective groups rather than competitors clamouring for the top spot.

Australian tattoo-skincare company SKINGRAPHICA announced the annual awards on 1 November, saying its selections are based on artistic merit rather than social media clout or commercial influence. This year’s results cover work created and shown over the last 12 months (between 1 November 2025 and 1 November 2026), with inspectors assessing everything from intricate small pieces to large-scale tattoos that cover entire sections of the body.

And while Australia didn’t secure a place among the ten Black Ivy recipients, seven local artists made the wider Top 100. Five of them work out of Melbourne, putting the city alongside Los Angeles for representation in the GRAPHICA list.

The World’s Top 10 Tattoo Artists for 2026

SKINGRAPHICA’s Black Ivy designation is reserved for ten artists working at the highest level of the craft. Unlike a lifetime achievement award, the distinction lasts for 12 months and must be earned again through the following year’s work.

And there has been quite a shake-up. Six of the ten recipients are new to Black Ivy for 2026, having moved up from the GRAPHICA Top 100, while four have retained their titles from last year.

The group spans everything from photo-realistic portraits to large-scale Japanese tattooing, intricate geometric blackwork and contemporary reinterpretations of traditional Asian art.

Returning Artists

Among the returning artists is Los Angeles-based Steve Butcher, whose hyper-realistic portraits capture an extraordinary level of detail, whether he’s recreating a famous face, an athlete in motion or the subtleties of light and texture in a photograph.

Beijing’s Victoria Lee is another returning recipient, recognised for her highly detailed realism, while Los Angeles-based Oozy has developed a distinctive blue-ink style influenced by painted porcelain. Japan’s Nissaco also retains his Black Ivy title, with intricate Japanese-inspired blackwork that draws on traditional motifs and geometric patterns.

New Arrivals

Japan’s Shige is known for expansive compositions that reinterpret traditional Japanese tattooing, while PittaKKM draws on Korean decorative traditions, including the vibrant colours and patterns associated with dancheong.

Then there’s Portugal’s Lewis Yzori, whose geometric blackwork treats the body as one continuous canvas. Rather than designing a standalone sleeve or backpiece, he designs compositions that account for how patterns connect and move across the entire body.

Thomas Carli Jarlier, Julian Siebert and Heng Yue complete the ten recipients. Their work ranges from atmospheric black-and-grey realism to biomechanical imagery and large-scale body art.

It’s a remarkably broad collection of styles, which makes the absence of a single winner rather fitting. Comparing a traditional Japanese bodysuit with a hyper-realistic portrait is a bit like deciding whether a sculptor is better than a photographer. Both can be extraordinary, with little in common beyond the skill required to produce them.

Seven Australian Tattoo Artists Make the World’s Top 100

The wider GRAPHICA list recognises 100 tattoo artists across 26 countries, and Australia has seven names among them. Five are first-time entrants, one has retained their place, and another has graduated from SKINGRAPHICA’s separate NOVA Rising 20.

Melbourne leads the local contingent with Jake Danielson, Emily Rose Murray, Matthew Mooney, Peste and Kris Sunkee. They’re joined by Brisbane’s Rich Hardy and Perth’s Daniel Molloy.

Jake Danielson | Umbra Tattoo, Melbourne

One of the new Australian entrants is Jake Danielson, who works out of Umbra Tattoo in Melbourne.

Danielson specialises in modern Japanese, neo-traditional and illustrative tattooing. His large-scale sleeves and backpieces combine bold colour, detailed linework and traditional Japanese influences, with compositions that follow the body’s natural contours.

For anyone interested in exploring more local talent, we’ve also put together a guide to Melbourne’s best tattoo artists and studios.

• Address: 395-397 Gore St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
• Phone: N/A

Emily Rose Murray | Third Eye Tattoo, Melbourne

Emily Rose Murray works out of Third Eye Tattoo in Melbourne, specialising in neo-traditional, ornamental and illustrative designs. Her work incorporates Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences, with portraiture and decorative elements appearing across larger pieces.

SKINGRAPHICA’s 2026 assessment highlights Murray’s approach to anatomy and ornamental composition, as well as her ability to work in colour and black and grey. She’s one of Australia’s five first-time GRAPHICA entrants.

• Address: 700 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
• Phone: (03) 9822 3809

Matthew Mooney | Dagger and Lark Tattoo, Melbourne

Matthew Mooney specialises in traditional Japanese tattooing, particularly large-scale pieces and bodysuits. It’s a style that calls for the individual elements to work together across the body, rather than treating each tattoo as a standalone design.

He’s also a second-generation tattooist and founder of Dagger and Lark Tattoo in Melbourne’s Bayswater, continuing a family business his father established in 1985. Mooney makes his first appearance on the GRAPHICA Top 100 in 2026.

• Address: 10B Church St, Bayswater VIC 3153
• Phone: (03) 9722 7093

Kris Sunkee | Compendium Tattoo, Melbourne

Kris Sunkee works out of Melbourne’s Compendium Tattoo, with a practice spanning black-and-grey realism, colour realism and blackwork. His subjects often lean toward dark surrealism, blending realistic imagery with more abstract and biomechanical influences.

SKINGRAPHICA’s inspectors highlighted his use of contrasting light and dark elements, including selective red and orange accents against predominantly black compositions. Sunkee joins the GRAPHICA Top 100 for the first time in 2026.

• Address: 909B High St, Armadale VIC 3143
• Phone: N/A

‘Peste’ Sebastiano Perazzetta | N2N Tattoo, Melbourne

Peste, the professional name of Sebastiano Perazzetta, works at N2N Tattoo in Melbourne and specialises in graphic and abstract blackwork.

His approach moves away from conventional figurative tattooing, using areas of solid black and exposed skin to create compositions shaped by the body’s contours. SKINGRAPHICA recognised his experimental style in 2026, promoting him from its NOVA Rising 20 to the GRAPHICA Top 100.

• Address: Shop 1Rear, 45 Edgewater Blvd, Maribyrnong VIC 3032
• Phone: 0456 788 989

Rich Hardy | First & Main Tattoo, Brisbane

Outside Melbourne, Rich Hardy of Brisbane’s First & Main Tattoo is the only Australian artist to retain GRAPHICA status from 2025. He works across traditional and illustrative tattooing, with a portfolio that includes smaller pieces as well as extensive back and torso work. In 2025, Rich Hardy transitioned First & Main into a fully private studio and is no longer accepting walk-ins or online booking requests. Both Rich and Ed will continue working at First & Main by appointment only

You can find more studios in our Brisbane tattoo guide.

• Address: 160 Musgrave Rd, Red Hill QLD 4059
• Phone: (07) 2111 1419

Daniel Molloy | Kurikara Fudo Tattoo, Perth

Finally, Daniel Molloy of Kurikara Fudo Tattoo in Perth has been recognised for his traditional Japanese work, particularly large-scale compositions and bodysuits built around bold outlines, rich colour and cohesive backgrounds.

Molloy makes his first GRAPHICA appearance in 2026, and you can explore more local options in our guide to Perth’s best tattoo shops.

The seven Australians span a wide range of tattooing. From vibrant Japanese-inspired compositions to experimental blackwork and classic traditional designs, no single style defines Australia’s showing.

• Address: 10/49 Berrigan Dr, South Lake WA 6164
• Phone: N/A

How SKINGRAPHICA Chooses the World’s Best Tattoo Artists

The rankings are compiled by SKINGRAPHICA, an Australian company that develops skincare products for tattooed skin and runs a separate programme for recognised artists.

According to the organiser, its inspectors spent more than three months reviewing work from across the international tattoo industry. Fresh and healed tattoos were both considered, alongside larger projects, smaller individual pieces and input from artists and industry experts.

Selections are based on six criteria: technical mastery, artistic vision, innovation, peer reputation, industry influence and consistency over time. SKINGRAPHICA says follower counts, sponsorships, commercial relationships and payments don’t influence inclusion.

However, the rankings remain SKINGRAPHICA’s own editorial assessment rather than a universally accepted measure of artistic quality.

The annual evaluation window also means recognition isn’t permanent. Artists can retain their distinction, move between the GRAPHICA and Black Ivy lists or drop out altogether when the next results are announced.

For readers, treat SKINGRAPHICA’s lists as a starting point for discovering exceptional tattoo artists, not a definitive answer for who should do your next piece. Style, placement, experience and the kind of tattoo you’re actually looking for still matter. If you’re struggling with ideas, let alone trying to find the right artist for the job, here’s a roundup of over 40 of the best tattoo ideas.

Below are the ten Black Ivy recipients and the complete GRAPHICA Top 100 for 2026.

World’s Top 10 Tattoo Artists for 2026 | Black Ivy

All ten artists hold the same Black Ivy distinction. They are not ranked from first to tenth.

Artist	Location	Recognised disciplines	2026 status
Steve Butcher	Los Angeles, USA	Hyper-realism, colour realism, black-and-grey realism	Retained
Thomas Carli Jarlier	Clermont-Ferrand, France	Black-and-grey realism, surrealism, opaque-grey realism	New
Victoria Lee	Beijing, China	Hyper-realism, colour realism, black-and-grey realism	Retained
Nissaco	Osaka, Japan	Geometric blackwork, blackwork, contemporary Japanese	Retained
Oozy	Los Angeles, USA	Blue-ink ‘Ceramic Skin’, illustrative, contemporary Japanese	Retained
PittaKKM	Los Angeles, USA / Seoul, South Korea	Colour illustration, Korean traditional, minimal tattoo	New
Shige	Yokohama, Japan	Shige Style, freehand	New
Julian Siebert	Munich, Germany	Colour realism, black-and-grey realism, neo-realism	New
Heng Yue	Yueyang, China / Markham, Canada	Black-and-grey realism, cyborg style, biomechanical	New
Lewis Yzori	Lisbon, Portugal	Geometric blackwork, blackwork, graphic blackwork	New

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World’s Top 100 Tattoo Artists for 2026 | GRAPHICA

The GRAPHICA Top 100 is separate from Black Ivy. The artists below are recognised as peers, without individual rankings.

Artist	Location	Region	Studio	Instagram
Alatancang	Suzhou, China	Asia	Chenai Tattoo Studio	@chenai_tattoo_alatancang
Aleksy Marcinow	London, UK	Europe	The Circle London	@aleksymarcinow
Alessandro Covallero	Pordenone, Italy	Europe	Sinked Art	@alessandrocovallerotattoo
Alex Sorsa	Seattle, USA	North America	Off-Gray Studio	@alexsorsa
Alexey Mashkov	New York City, USA	North America	L.O.V.E Machine	@_mashkow_
Andrea Pellerone	Milan, Italy	Europe	L’Arte del Tatuaggio	@andrea.pellerone
Andres Makishi	New York City, USA	North America	Garden Ink	@andresmakishi
Benjamin Laukis	Athens, Greece	Europe	Silver Letter Gallery	@benjaminlaukis
Bradley Tan	Singapore	Asia	Oracle Tattoo	@bradleytattoo
Brent McCown	Aotearoa, New Zealand	Oceania	Te Rongo ō Te Whaowhao	@brentmccown_
Carlos Torres	Long Beach, USA	North America	The Raven and the Wolves	@carlostorresart
Cheon Moon	Seoul, South Korea	Asia	Kodzunak Tattoo	@moon.cheon
Coen Mitchell	Zevenaar, Netherlands	Europe	Tattoo Gold	@coenmitchell
Cristian Casas	Tenerife, Spain	Europe	Komune Tattoo	@kasasink
Dan McWilliams	Los Angeles, USA	North America	Unit-01 Tattoo	@danmcwilliamsart
Daniel Gulliver	Brighton and Hove, UK	Europe	TopBoy Tattoo	@gullytattoo
Daniel Molloy	Perth, Australia	Oceania	Kurikara Fudo Tattoo	@danmolloytattooer
Daria Pirojenko	Austin, USA	North America	The Dark Arts	@pirojenko_tattoo
Dave Paulo	Praia de Mira, Portugal	Europe	Private studio	@davepaulo_tattooartist
David Benjamin Kaye	Auckland, New Zealand	Oceania	Shipshape Tattoo	@dbkaye
Dean Sacred	Auckland, New Zealand	Oceania	Sacred Tattoo	@deansacred_tattoo
Deanna James	Dallas, USA	North America	Eden Body Art Studios	@deanna_art
Diaochen	Xiamen, China	Asia	Diaochen Tattoo	@diaochen_tattoo
Dillon Forte	Wimberley, USA	North America	FORTE TATTOO	@dillonforte
Dmitrii Naboka	Düsseldorf, Germany	Europe	NBK Tattoo Collective	@nbktattoos
Dmitriy Samohin	Odesa, Ukraine	Europe	Private studio	@dmitriysamohin
Dmitry Gorbunov	Yekaterinburg, Russia	Europe	Gorbunov Tattoo Shop	@dmitrygorbunov_
Dmytro Nosov	Berlin, Germany	Europe	Private studio	@nos_tattoos
Duda	Barcelona, Spain	Europe	Patch Factory	@dudalozanotattoo
Edit Ben Gida	Tel Aviv, Israel	Asia	Gida Tattoo & Gallery	@edit_paints
Emily Rose Murray	Melbourne, Australia	Oceania	Third Eye Tattoo	@emily_rose_murray
Federica Orlando	Pordenone, Italy	Europe	Sinked Art	@federicaorlandotattoo
Filouino	Horb am Neckar, Germany	Europe	Atelier le Filou	@filouino
Gabriele Pellerone	Milan, Italy	Europe	L’Arte del Tatuaggio	@gabrielepellerone
Gakkin	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Europe	Not listed	@gakkinx
Han Li	Beijing, China	Asia	Not listed	@hantattoo_lihan
Hanmo	Hong Kong, China	Asia	Hanmo Tattoo Ink	@hanmotattoobin
Hoang Minh Duc	Hanoi, Vietnam	Asia	Stone Tattoo Ink	@hoangminhduc_vn
Hoon Kim	Seoul, South Korea	Asia	Frame Seoul	@uncogrim
Horitomo	Honolulu, USA	North America	Pacific Soul Tattoo	@horitomo_stateofgrace
Hugo Feist	Los Angeles, USA	North America	Not listed	@hugofeist
Jacob Gordon	Morgantown, USA	North America	HANDSHAKESNAKE	@handshakesnaketattoos
Jake Danielson	Melbourne, Australia	Oceania	Umbra Tattoo	@jaketattoos
Javier Gonzalez De Abia	Madrid, Spain	Europe	Tattaamy Room Studio	@say.art
Jeff Gogué	Bellingham, USA	North America	Olinjär Studio	@gogueart
Jesse Rix	Keene, USA	North America	Private studio	@jesse_rix
Jesse Smith	Richmond, USA	North America	Loose Screw Tattoo	@jessesmithtattoos
Jie Wu	Beijing, China	Asia	Victoria Lee Tattoo Studio	@wujiietattoo
Jin Q Choi	Seoul, South Korea	Asia	Seoul Ink Tattoo	@jin_qchoi
Jiro Painter	Seoul, South Korea	Asia	Not listed	@jiro_painter
Kat Abdy	Ipswich, UK	Europe	Abrakadavra Studio	@katabdy
Kindamo	Rome, Italy	Europe	Kindamo Tattoo Roma	@_kindamo_
Kiyoharu	Southampton, UK	Europe	Mikan Tattoo	@kiyoharu_tattooer
Kozo	New York City, USA	North America	Private studio	@kozo_tattoo
Kris Sunkee	Melbourne, Australia	Oceania	Compendium Tattoo	@kris_sunkee
LIFO	Seoul, South Korea	Asia	Lighthouse Tattoo & Art Studio	@lifo_art
Lisa Ammer	Linz, Austria	Europe	Private studio	@lisaammertattoo
Luigi Mansi	Latina, Italy	Europe	Luigi Mansi Tattoo Studio	@luigimansi_
Luke A. Ashley	London, UK	Europe	TAOO	@lukeaashley
Léah Blum	Paris, France	Europe	Casa by Blum	@blum.ttt
Marco C. Matarese	Milan, Italy	Europe	PURO Tattoo Studio	@marcocmatarese
Matt Jordan	Auckland, New Zealand	Oceania	Shipshape Tattoo	@mattjordantattoo
Matteo Nangeroni	Padua, Italy	Europe	The White Whale Tattoo Society	@matteonangeroni
Matthew Mooney	Melbourne, Australia	Oceania	Dagger and Lark Tattoo	@matty_d_mooney
Mayonaize	Los Angeles, USA	North America	Not listed	@mayonaize
Michael Stockings	Haverhill, UK	Europe	Legacy Tattoo	@mikestockings
Myuan	Hangzhou, China	Asia	Mo Yan Tattoo Studio	@myuantattoo
Nacho Frias	Valencia, Spain	Europe	Not listed	@nacho.frias
Natasha Animal	Düsseldorf, Germany	Europe	NBK Tattoo Collective	@animal_tattooer
Neon Judas	Berlin, Germany / New York City, USA	Europe / North America	L.O.V.E Machine / Private studio	@neonjudas
Nick Noonan	Christchurch, New Zealand	Oceania	Magna Tattoo Studio	@nicknoonantattoo
Nico Del Grosso	New York City, USA	North America	The Secret Door NYC	@nicotattoo.nyc
Nikko Hurtado	Hesperia, USA	North America	Black Anchor Tattoo	@nikkohurtado
Noah Bissi	Montréal, Canada	North America	Not listed	@noahbissi
Okan Uçkun	New York City, USA	North America	Monolith Studio	@okanuckun
Oscar Åkermo	New York City, USA	North America	Monolith Studio	@oscarakermo
Pablo Ezequiel Frias	New York City, USA	North America	Garden Ink	@pablo_frias.tattoo
Peste	Melbourne, Australia	Oceania	N2N Tattoo	@___p_e_s_t_e___
Peter Lagergren	Malmö, Sweden	Europe	Malmö Classic Tattoo	@peterlagergren
Q	Los Angeles, USA	North America	Nonfromseoul	@q_tattoos
Ralf Nonnweiler	Neunkirchen, Germany	Europe	No Arts Tattoo	@ralfnonnweilerta2
Rich Hardy	Brisbane, Australia	Oceania	First & Main Tattoo	@rich_hardy
Robert Borbás	Budapest, Hungary	Europe	Rooklet Ink	@grindesign_tattoo
ROXX	Los Angeles, USA	North America	2Spirit Tattoo	@roxx_____
Sam Barber	Manchester, UK	Europe	North of Winter	@sambarbertattoo
Samu Rico	Madrid, Spain	Europe	Blessed Art Tattoo	@samurico_tattoo
Samuel Schiavone	Żejtun, Malta	Europe	Seven Tattoo Studio	@samtattoos7
Samuele Briganti	Florence, Italy	Europe	Bold Will Hold	@samuelebriganti
Sandry Riffard	Le Puy-en-Velay, France	Europe	Au Delà Du Réel Tattoo	@audeladureeltattoobysandry
Sarah Krone	Aalborg, Denmark	Europe	Metanoia Tattoo Atelier	@kroneink
Sergio Fernández	Málaga, Spain	Europe	Seven Tattoo	@sergiofernandeztattoo
Silvano Fiato	Genoa, Italy	Europe	Eternal Tattoo Studio	@silvanofiato
Simone Marchi	Lugano, Switzerland	Europe	MonsterHouse Tattoo	@simonem4rchi
Stepan Negur	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	Asia	Not listed	@stepannegur
Timur Lysenko	Katowice / Wrocław, Poland	Europe	Redberry Tattoo Studio	@timur_lysenko
Vezo	Seoul, South Korea	Asia	Seoul Ink Tattoo	@vezofit
Victor Chil	Barcelona, Spain	Europe	Family Art Tattoo	@victor_chil
Vitaly Morozov	Düsseldorf, Germany	Europe	NBK Tattoo Collective	@mvtattoo
Waler Montero	New York City, USA / Buenos Aires, Argentina	North / South America	Los Montero Family	@waler_montero
Yomico Moreno	New York City, USA	North America	1983 Art Studio	@yomicoart

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