Like all brothers with a five year age gap, Thomaz and Matthew did not start out with the smoothest of relationships, but growing up, the pair morphed into what artist Thomaz describes as an “extension of one another.” Although he confirms that they are still complete opposites to this day, “there are wavelengths and ideologies that are common to both of us and we still get to enjoy each other’s company.”
Although an artist by profession, Thomaz started rethinking his career path and at age 30, sought to create something that could outlive him. “Although I was doing something which I liked and in a comfortable environment, I needed something more meaningful,” he confesses, explaining that at the time the tattoo industry had been in the process of reimagining itself, leaving him intrigued. It wasn’t long till he replaced canvas and paper with human skin, and six years later, this tattoo artist is growing stronger by the day.
Needless to say, Thomaz wanted to involve his brother in his professional pursuits by tattooing him, and after six long years, he finally got his chance. “Its not that Matthew was against the idea, but we never had a clear vision of what subject we would go for,” explains Thomaz. Matthew wanted something that represented him in the best way possible, and building on that as well as drawing reference from other artists’ works, Thomaz built his concept.
The tattoo is symbolic for both brothers not just for artistic reasons but also familial ones: Matthew is about to embark on longterm travel around South America and Asia with his wife, and the tattoo is proof of their undying brotherly bond. “Thankfully, in this day and age you can call and access the camera wherever you are, so although I'm going to miss having them around, I will still be calling him and keeping myself updated on his whereabouts and his adventures,” he says.
What a super pair!