The kowloon grid
Archive Entry: 1132
Volume: Curation (The art, films, music, and books that resonate with you)
Medium: Skin
Key notes/components of inspiration:
-
Cinema
Film Stills
Frames -
Wong Kar-Wai
Chungking Express
In the Mood for Love
Fallen Angels
Happy Together
Stylised Figures -
Love for Cinema
Shared Memories
Nostalgia
Origins of Romance
The composition of this piece spans across three layers, blending visual and conceptual elements from first aesthetic cues to its deeper narrative core:
His storyin the mood for us
Some love stories don't start with grand speeches; they start in a dark room watching magic play out on the big screen.
Belveen wanted to commemorate the early days of dating his fiancée when she introduced him to Wong Kar-Wai’s masterpiece, Chungking Express. That single movie sparked a shared passion for neo-noir romance, forever entwining their relationship with the moody, poetic world of Hong Kong cinema.
To honor this journey, we designed a half-sleeve composed of his favorite stills across four quintessential films: Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, Fallen Angels, and Happy Together.
Steering away from photorealism, we stylised the faces and focused on silhouette, light, shadow, and mood. This artistic choice keeps the focus on the emotion of the scenes, allowing the tattoo to feel like a atmospheric montage or a film reel.
By capturing the cinematic frames that brought them together, their favorite movies are transformed into a permanent love letter of not just a tribute to the art on screen but also to the person sitting next to him in the dark.
“Getting this tattoo was incredibly meaningful to me. It’s a memento of my arm as a tribute to my wife, our shared love for Wong Kar Wai’s films, and a reminder of a very important chapter in my life before leaving Singapore for good.
I trusted Bernice completely with the piece. After seeing her previous work, I knew she was the only artist I wanted to bring this idea to life, and she absolutely delivered.
The entire experience was wonderful. Over the three sessions, we talked about everything from films to life, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment of it. She’s incredibly talented.
I couldn’t recommend Bernice enough, and I’ll definitely be looking for her again when I’m ready for my future inks.”
Your story is worth telling.
Whether born from a love of cinema or a quiet moment that changed everything, this is where your memories can play out.