From SKIN DEEP Tattoo Magazine no.92, January 2003.

WHO'S THE BOZ?

Here at Skin Deep we love coming across tattoo-related art and when we do, we share it with you out there in readerland. Some of you may know Boz's stuff from his work on various punk album covers and fanzines but I reckon he deserves a wider audience, even though he's quite mad!

He describes himself as "Some Irish asshole who spends way too many of his waking hours drawing and painting stupid shit for which people brand me with tags like antichrist, faggot, nazi, weirdo - and are subsequently disappointed to learn that I am none of these and less!".

With little in the way of formal art training, Boz has a somewhat cynical view of art colleges. "I know so many people who were kicked out of art college because of personality differences with the lecturers. Your entire workload can mean nothing if you're not willing to kiss ass and listen to the opinion of a begrudging failed artist". Despite, or perhaps because of, his lack of art tuition, Boz produces fascinating, disturbing and amusing imagery in a variety of media: Airbrush, acrylic, pen and ink and computer programmes. When asked where his inspiration comes from, his reply is characteristically blunt. "Where do I get my inspiration from? Don't know, don't care. As you can see I'm not into analysis. These things just happen. Mine is to do, not to question. Some art critic asshole can do that. I'm a sick and evil fucker and I do believe my best work comes from this. I rarely develop ideas. Everything is usually done in one take to give the piece in question a bit of urgency, life and energy".

Boz's artwork clearly lends itself to tattooing and he actually has tattoos of his own designs. He also designs tattoos for a local studio. He's been tempted to enter the noble profession on occasion but says, "I've thought of becoming a tattoo artist a number of times but I'd rather just be drawing than wrist deep in someone's sweat and blood". To check out more of Boz's strange creations, check out his website at www.praxisireland.com/boz.

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