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If you're looking for a place in the Klang Valley that does tattoos with deep cultural significance and history, you might want to check out Electric Dreams Tattoo Collectives at Jaya One, PJ
We recently visited the studio to meet the artists spearheading the revival of ancient Bornean tattoo art.
There, we spoke with Simon David, a tattooist from Kuching, and Arth, a traditional and machine tattoo artist from Miri — both with over 20 years of experience.
Simon is a veteran tattoo artist who has brushed shoulders with some of the industry's top names, including Suluape Keone Nunes, the artist behind Jason Momoa's iconic head tattoo.
Over the years, Simon has collected numerous accolades, proudly displaying awards from notable conventions and festivals, including the Benua Borneo Tattoo Convention 2023, Internationale Tattoo Convention Bremen 2002, and Kuching Tattoo Festival 2022, as well as multiple wins from the Wayang Kulit Tattoo Show, Kinabalu Tattoo Convention, and other esteemed events.
Top to bottom: Simon David and Arth.
Image via SAYSOur visit was initially meant to witness Simon inking an ukir rekong (throat tattoo), but with a little persuasion — and a lot of curiosity — our colleague ended up getting a leg tattoo using the traditional hand-tapping method
During the session, Simon shared the rich history of tattoos in Iban culture.
A man's stature, he explained, was once determined by the number of tattoos on his body.
Upon reaching adulthood, an Iban man would leave his village on a journey known as bejalai, during which he was expected to collect tattoos as markers of his travels and achievements.
The man with the most tattoos was hailed as the strongest and commanded the respect of his community.
This practice was closely tied to the once-feared tradition of headhunting, where tattoos served as proof of a warrior's success and prowess.
Among the most significant designs were the bunga terung (shoulder tattoos) and the ukir rekong, which marked a man's rite of passage. Other tattoos would follow as he ventured further from home.
These tattoos were often described as functioning like passport stamps, with each one recording a milestone.
Simon (left) showing the outline of the ukir rekong on tattoo artist Ayl (right).
Image via SAYS
A recent bunga terung tattoo by Ayl of Electric Dreams Tattoo Collective.
Image via Provided to SAYSOn the day of our visit, Simon tattooed an ukir rekong on Ayl, a tattoo artist from Sabah
"He's now here in KL. So, this is his traveller's tattoo. You don't get your tattoo back home.
"This tradition has been around for a long time, but it's not done anymore. But there are a lot of artists reviving Bornean designs. Hopefully, they revive the culture as well," Simon shared.
While aesthetics play a major role in tattooing today, Simon noted that this was not the case in the past.
Men would take turns tattooing one another. Ironically, the most talented artists were often left with the roughest tattoos, Simon quipped, saying it was because their peers were not as skilful as they were.
Here's Ayl's final look, featuring a modern take on the ukir rekong design:
Ayl, who is also a tattoo artist at Electric Dreams Tattoo Collective, with his new ukir rekong tattoo.
Image via SAYS
As for our colleague, lifestyle editor Tamara Jayne, she received a hornbill motif tattoo on her left leg
Since Tamara was born in Sarawak, Simon and Arth suggested it would be a meaningful opportunity for her to experience the traditional hand-tapping method.
Arth brought out a notebook filled with Bornean motifs he had collected over the years, carefully explaining the cultural significance behind each design.
Among our favourites were the striped motifs on a woman's sleeve, an Orang Ulu tradition symbolising her handiness in the tribe.
Traditionally, these tattoos were placed on a girl's hands, which had to be completed before she could be considered eligible for marriage. Anthropomorphic patterns, meanwhile, often represented protective ancestor spirits.
For Tamara's tattoo, the outline was done with a machine for precision and efficiency, while the rest was filled in with black ink using the hand-tapping method.
Reflecting on her experience, she said, "The machine was way more painful than the hand-tapping method."
Here's a slow-motion clip of Arth at work:
Simon told SAYS that everyone is welcome to get a Bornean tattoo, saying, "We want to share and preserve the culture"
He added that his studio offers more than just Bornean tattoos, with a wide range of modern and contemporary styles as well.
Electric Dreams Tattoo Collective:
Unit 9-6, Blok A, Bangunan Jaya One,
Jalan Universiti, Section 13, Petaling Jaya
To book an appointment, contact them via WhatsApp at +6012-548 8446 or reach out through their social media:
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Watch our interview with Simon and Arth here:
