Mike Giant Talks Ink Philosophy

Mike Giant is an icon in the realms of tattoo art, bicycling, and illustration. Yet he isn’t the kind of guy who revels in the spotlight; so getting these precious words on paper is quite an honor for Hypebeast. Mike’s insight into tattooing gave us food for thought:

“You just can’t be happy doing street shop stuff your whole life and that can be real thrilling, you always have tons of cash and access to cute girls and all this. There’s definitely a contingent of people who are all about that.

There’s another level to it, there’s a deeper thing then that, it’s heavy I think, you’re marking people, you’re making them bleed and hurt and a lot of the time you’re manifesting things that they feel so compelled in their heart to put into their skin and at the risk of all kinds of financial loss and pain and being judged by their family, all kinds of stupid shit.

It’s a lot different than just drawing on paper, that’s for sure.” -Mike Giant, Hypebeast Interview

San Francisco Bicycle Messengers

Who better than Mike Giant to illustrate to cover of San Francisco Bicycle Messengers? The new book by Beryl Fine features photographs of 23 bike messengers in The City, tapping into one of its most defining subcultures. We were sold at the cover image: if you are too, snag one of 500 copies at Rebel 8.

The Revolution Will Not Be Motorized

To all you fixie fiends: the Spring 2009 issue of Fixed is now online. Low and behold, our own Mike Giant graces its pages with a to-the-point interview and  persuasive drawings. Keep your eyes peeled for Giant at White Walls this December, and check out the Fixed excerpt below:

Oui Oui! Giant in Paris

Hundreds of thousands of Sharpies have met their demise at the hand of Mike Giant, and his current show at Galeria Magda-Danysz is partly to blame. In a perfect world we would be floating down the Seine, Nutella crepe in hand, after seeing these works in person; but for now we must consult The Art Collectors for a digital tour of the show. Looking good, Mike! For further research, check out the Rebel 8 blog.

Mike Giant: Snakin Around La Muerte

Are you sick of Mike Giant yet? We think not, especially since he is dropping our jaws left and right with fresh Sharpie masterpieces. His show at Galerie Magda Danysz is days from opening, and his new book (fittingly titled Mike Giant: Muerte) will be released at the opening event.

Read more coverage at Juxtapoz.com