Lou Molloy is one of the UK’s leading tattoo artists, and with a string of celebrity clients and a waiting list of up to a year, I would have been foolish to turn down an invite to an exhibition of his most spectacular work at The Pop Art Gallery in Manchester.
Back in the 1970’s tattoos had a dark reputation and were associated with people who were firmly outside mainstream culture. Despite this, the art form fascinated him and this is when he started practising his own tattoos. By 1981, at the young and tender age of 18, he had spent most his teenage years perfecting his skill and decided to open up his own shop, The Middleton Tattoo Studio, in Manchester.
Since 1981 his artwork has made him world famous and he is not only one of the most sought after UK tattooists he also, in 2007, became involved with the television series, London Ink. His work has not only earned him recognition among hard core tattoo lovers but also within the world of celebrity. His most famous client being David Beckham and in 1999 he designed and inked Beckham’s back with a bald, winged, angelic figure, of which Beckham refers to as “his guardian angel.” Since then he has tattooed Victoria Beckham, Mel C, Mel B, all members of Boyzone and Ricky Hatton.
London Ink is a spin off show from Miami Ink and features Lou, alongside 3 other tattoo artists working in a studio. London Ink is shown on Real Time Discovery and their website describes him as “A very versatile artist whose skills stretch to any style…He draws on his wide knowledge of art and culture to create tattoos that have real meaning and depth…And has twice been recipient of outstanding artist of the year UK.”
The art form itself is what interests Lou Molloy the most and he has recently decided to “bridge a gap for those who admire the art but don’t want to take the permanent step of getting a tattoo” by bringing out a menswear collection. This is available on his website http://www.loumolloy.com/
He has partnered with John Smedley in creating this unique form of clothes wear and his site features t-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, John Smedley knitwear and accessories, all with 
artwork designed by Lou himself.
The exhibition was indeed a hit, whilst showcasing his world famous tattoo artwork in Manchester; it also brought together all different types of people who admire his work. One of which was Manchester United’s newest team member, Chris Smalling, alongside his Page 3 girlfriend Sam Cooke, whose passion is indeed DJing. She showed she was no stranger to the decks as she kicked of her high heels, put on her headphones and took over playing music.
With Lou trying his best to talk to everyone at the event, free drinks were being handed out while people admired his dark and captivating art work. His tattoos are indeed mesmerising and with the mixture of press, friends and fans it would be safe to say that there cant have been many people, who at that moment in time, didn’t want a Lou Molloy tattoo.
