This October, JEEJ and tattoo artist Robin Carels come together for From Canvas to Skin. A three-day collaboration exploring what happens when an original artwork doesn’t end on paper.
FROM CANVAS TO SKIN
JEEJ’s work often starts with something familiar. Recognisable characters are taken out of their original context and transformed through his lines, imperfections and visual language into something entirely new.
For From Canvas to Skin, that process becomes more personal.
Rather than creating a collection first and finding its collectors afterwards, the selected participants become part of the process from the beginning. Each participant shares the cartoon character they would like JEEJ to work with. From there, JEEJ creates a completely new 1/1 Original around that choice.
It will never be recreated, released as an edition or made for someone else.
The finished Original then becomes Robin’s starting point. The lines move from paper to skin, turning an artwork you own into an artwork you permanently carry with you.
JEEJ × ROBIN CARELS
Robin Carels approaches tattooing as an art form in its own right. Working from his private studio, his process is centred around precision, attention to detail and creating work specifically for the person wearing it.
His work spans fineline, miniature and black & grey tattooing, with every detail considered in relation to both the design and the body.
That shared approach is what makes this collaboration feel natural.
Both JEEJ and Robin work from the idea that a piece should belong to the person it is created for. Where JEEJ creates the Original on paper, Robin translates those same lines into a permanent second form.
One starts with a blank sheet. The other with skin. For three days, the two become part of the same process.
A LIMITED THREE-DAY COLLABORATION
From Canvas to Skin takes place across three days: an evening session on October 16, followed by daytime sessions on October 17 and 18.
Across all three days, there is room for only limited participants. These places will not be sold on a first come, first served basis. Following registration, the participants will be personally selected for the collaboration. The character, idea and overall fit with the project will be part of that selection.
Each selected participant receives:
— A unique framed 1/1 JEEJ Original, created specifically for them
— A tattoo based directly on that Original, tattooed by Robin Carels
— A tattoo from approximately 10 × 10 cm
— A work that will never be recreated or released again
The complete experience is €3,000.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
If you would like to be considered for the collaboration, leave your details through the registration form and tell us which cartoon character you would like JEEJ to reinterpret.
Following registration, selected participants will be personally contacted by our team to discuss their idea, preferred session and next steps.
Registering your interest does not guarantee participation.
For questions or additional information, contact hello@withjeej.com.
