Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan David Echeverri Murillo
Juan David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My childhood was one painted by poverty and hardship in Medellin, Colombia during some of the worst of violent times caused by the drug cartels and corrupt government in the 90s. I found refuge in punk music and still love it to this day. At that time, young people like myself were angry. Bullets, assassinations, senseless murders, bombs, abductions, drugs, joblessness and military service by force. I was caught by the military many times and found a way to escape every time. My love for punk was borne from these experiences and the anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian sentiments resonated with me, naturally. This is what drew me to tattooing as well. When I started tattooing it was about community and rebellion. The fringes of society united to make our own way in the world. Nowadays, tattooing has become a money making venture. Some people look at it as only a business, but I’m not about that life. For me, tattooing is about independence and community. Being popular on social media doesn’t mean that that artist is doing good work. I don’t identify with a rockstar mentality. I’m not ego-driven. I treat my clients with respect and focus on doing better and better work and uplifting other artists in the community.
I’ve had the privilege of learning from countless artists all around the world who taught me about tattooing but also about life. Frank Anglas, a Peruvian artist that was based in Buenos Aires, Argentina was a major influence on me as an artist, and as a person. I will forever be grateful to him. Through hard work and dedication I’ve managed to hone my craft to a highly professional level and life has taught me to check my ego at the door and treat other people with respect. When clients come to me for their tattoo projects, they get top notch work but they also get the respect they deserve for trusting in my process.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I mentioned some of that previously- my childhood and all.
In 2011, when I was still an apprentice, my best friend and I decided to open a tattoo shop together in a very popular part of Medellin. At that time we still didn’t have a name, and only a few months after opening we were robbed of absolutely everything. So the next week we put on some punk music, replaced everything we could afford to and put the name Haka Tattoo on the building. We were inspired by the fierce and intimidating dance of the Māori. It was our way of telling our haters that they couldn’t stop us. I kept the experience close to my heart and I also kept the name as my artist name, Juan Haka.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m from the old-school. In my 15 years of tattooing I’ve done every style imaginable. As part of the learning process, I think it’s important to experiment with it all. Nowadays I’m specialized in black and gray realism and surrealism. My work is unique in design, contrast, composition and style. It reflects my anti-establishment ideals. I’ve been influenced by realism but I’m not doing pure realism, if that makes sense. My tattoos are made to look good for life. I want my clients to be happy with my work on the day of their appointment, and many years later too.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I already mentioned my biggest mentor, the Latin American legend, Frank Anglas, RIP brother, but also my friends in Medellin. Pable, my best friend, was the person who pushed me to become a tattoo artist the most. He helped me open my first studio and helped me fund some of my travels, one of which lead me to make some of the most important contacts of my career. If it weren’t for him, I may have ended up being a professor of Latin American history instead! I feel like I’ve built my career by traveling and I’ve tried to learn from literally every artist I’ve ever worked beside.
Pricing:
- $1,500/session (6 hours)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juanhakatattoo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juan_haka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/bphCnLAiHQVtUFAt/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
All images were taken by Juan Haka.
