Our interview for the talented "Pelleossa" - The Nomadic Artist
1. Where does the name “Pelleossa” come from?
The name Pelleossa (which means “skin and bones” in English) came about before I entered the world of tattooing, about one or two years earlier. It’s tied to a difficult period in my life, marked by a serious accident that left me bedridden for almost a year and a half, first in the hospital and then at home. During the long rehabilitation, I faced issues with being underweight: I couldn’t properly absorb food, and physical recovery was extremely challenging, both on a muscular and psychological level. Although I didn’t suffer from anorexia, I experienced a similar condition: deep discomfort with my body. Since childhood I’d always been thin, and people in my town would lovingly say, “Eat up, you’re just skin and bones!” That’s where the name came from—a term carrying both my story and suffering, but also a kind of identity.
2. When and how did it all begin?
I started tattooing almost by chance. At 17, I created pieces on recycled materials and organized small exhibitions. The name Pelleossa was already tied to that work, and later I used it as a brand name for clothing inspired by stencil art and graffiti. Around age 18 I moved to London with no money and lots of uncertainty. I worked nights in a bakery and tattooed during the day. Walking around the city, I met the owner of a studio near Brick Lane. He looked at my few tattoos and said, “They’re not beautiful, but you’ve got the technique. But don’t stay in London. Go back to Italy, grow your skills, and then try again.” So I returned to San Benedetto del Tronto and tattooed more consistently, while trying to figure out what to do with my life. I wanted to study philosophy at university, but I couldn’t afford it. During that period, I lived through a long internal conflict between studying and building a future in art and tattooing. In the end, I moved to Milan. In Milan, my financial situation was fragile, and I struggled to finish school. I was the only guy living alone and fully supporting himself. Some teachers didn’t help me and even prevented me from graduating. However, I am grateful to a Brescian bishop and philosophy teacher who helped me. I then moved to Brescia, finished school, and began frequenting artistic circles and notable photographers. Once I got my diploma, I decided to devote myself entirely to tattooing and art.
3. Not everyone knows that before becoming a tattoo artist, you were a motorcyclist. Would you like to tell us more about that?
Not everyone knows, but before becoming a tattoo artist I was a professional motorcyclist. I raced for 12 years, was part of important teams, and was teammates with Luca Marini (Valentino Rossi’s brother) and Enea Bastianini. I competed in Moto3 in the Italian Championship for two years and shared the track with riders like Alex Rins. Every young rider dreams of reaching the World Championship. I was close when, just before a test at Albacete on a prototype bike, I had a serious crash. It changed my life completely. I survived miraculously but ended with major physical difficulties and had to give up my racing career.
4. Was there a specific moment when you realized that this was the right path for your career as an artist?
There wasn’t a single moment I decided to become an artist, but my family background played a fundamental role. My father is a great artist and intellectual; my mother has always had refined taste and worked in fashion. I grew up in a free, creative environment, in a house without doors, privacy was a more human concept than a physical one. My childhood was marked by unconventional education, I was always surrounded by artists, architects, photographers, and set designers. If I drew something, I wasn’t merely told “Good job”; I was guided in how to improve. That taught me to approach art with respect and depth.
5. You’re a “nomadic” artist, always traveling around the world. Is that a personal choice or a necessity?
Being nomadic is partly rooted in my motorcycling past, which had me traveling to a different city every weekend. After the accident, I felt the need to maintain that pace, to continue traveling, meeting people, and absorbing new influences. In the last three years, I’ve toured all over Europe and parts of the world. Now, though, I feel a desire to settle down more, to build a team of artistic collaborators and travel only for richer, more meaningful experiences, not just work.
6. Each of your works tells a story. How does one of your projects come to life?
Every tattoo I create tries to tell a story. I’m fascinated by the notion of tattooing as the body’s language, a code that expresses emotions and identity. This came from my passion for Siberian culture, introduced to me by my father when he gave me Educazione Siberiana by Nicolai Lilin. I like mixing ancient and modern, tradition and innovation. I want tattooing to be not only aesthetic, but also a means of telling the wearer’s story.
7. Who or what are your references? Is there something or someone in particular you draw inspiration from?
My main sources of inspiration are everything I don’t yet have: photography, cinema, contemporary art and installations, educated and passionate people. I’ve always been drawn to culture, because true knowledge is the only thing no one can take away. My father always encouraged me to engage with people of great depth, and that profoundly shaped me.
8. Do you have any future projects? How do you imagine yourself in ten years?
One of my goals is to spend more time in Milan and eventually move to the U.S., maybe New York. Not to chase fortune, but to bring a piece of Italian culture and contribute my style and artistic vision. I dream of running artistic projects from anywhere in the world, living in a countryside home with a vineyard, a pool, my family, and a creative space where I can work in peace.
9. What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter the world of tattooing today?
Don’t look only at the tattoo world, look beyond. Tattooing needs to come from within; it needs to be your thing. It mustn’t be a mere economic choice, or you risk losing authenticity. Seek inspiration from cinema, fashion, photography, culture. Don’t let what’s viral on social media influence you. The secret to standing out is having a style so unique that even if someone copies it, only you can truly do it.
10. Wishing you all the best, we thank you for taking the time to talk with us.
Thank you for this interview. I’m really happy to have revisited different periods of my life with you and to give those who don’t know me well the chance to discover some of my more hidden sides. As for my hopes, I always look toward tomorrow. I can never fully rest on what I’ve experienced, my achievements, or my victories. I’m constantly self-critical and never fully satisfied. I hope to never give up and to never lose my way. I strive to stay true to my path and my vision. I want to keep seeking new challenges and place myself in uncomfortable or chaotic situations, in order to absorb energy and creativity.
