Art beat ... finger on the pulse

Beijing

Tattoo mogul gets arty

Don Ed Hardy is widely know in the US as a tattoo mogul and across the world for his accessory and apparel brand featuring his tattoo designs. Few know that the tattooist has also been painting since 1987. Now Hardy is coming to China as an artist with 30 works created over recent decades. Most of his works will be on display for the first time. Involved in the tattoo industry all his life, the 68-year-old's art pieces mainly focus on tattoo designs and his life experiences. Hardy was fascinated with Oriental culture when he was a little boy. He spent half a year learning tattoo skills in Japan in the 1970s. Asian art and aesthetics influence both his tattoo designs and paintings.