Tom Malek | Blackwork tattoos Sydney

Molly’s completed shoulders & chest panels . . Projects like this are such a privilege. Molly finished off the black flames for these pieces a while back, but it’s still one of my favourite tattoos I’ve done to date. I’m so appreciative of clients that are excited to work together on something custom, no matter what it is.

Great start on this piece today for my regular client Zach. This style of piecing together elements like a collage into a tattoo design is something I’d really love to work more on, so I’m super grateful to be given the opportunity to do this piece for someone who’s been supporting my work since the start! . All of my favourite elements of tattoos are in this kind of style - heavy lines, stippled shading, lots of completely black shadow areas, chopped up bits - life is a mash up of strange elements and styles, so why shouldn’t our tattoos match?! I’ve always loved seeing tattoo collections that aren’t perfectly curated and have a lot of character and history to them, and I’m trying to bring that chaotic, impactful energy to my tattooing. . If you’re looking for something slightly out of the box, but still with a foundation of traditional tattooing, then let’s chat about your next project - I’m offering good rates for projects like this one . . . #btattooing #blacktattooart #blacktattoo #blackwork #blackworkers #blackworktattoos #blackworkillustrations #darkart #darkartists #blackandgreytattoo #blackandgrey #flashtattoo #tattooflash #blkttt #ttt #tttism #sydneytattoo #lowbrow #lowbrowart #contemporarytattoo #contemporarytattooing #apprenticetattoo #tattooapprentice #dotwork #dotworkers #dotworktattoo #ignorant_tattoos #neotraditional #neotraditionaltattoo #sydney #sydneytattoo

THANK YOU to the beautiful clients, tattooers and characters that have made my time at @cabramattaink an absolute pleasure. Four years ago they let me come in and mop the floors & watch what they were doing, and now it’s time for me to fly the nest. I’ll always be incredibly grateful for the opportunity that’s made me the tattoo obsessed, machine tinkering, stippled shading loving dirtbag I am today. . If you wanna come get tattooed by me in Cabramatta, then the next two weeks is gonna be your last chance for a while! (I’d absolutely love to finish up my time there with a crazy cyborg skull, or some flames, or maybe a flaming cyborg skull? Come on… you know you wanna get that…) After that I’ll be in the big smoke, cooking up apocalyptic livery for your body temple. Hope you’re all doing well, and I hope to see you soon at my new art den in the inner city 🖤

I’m really lucky to have such trusting clients with such awesome ideas. Here are a few tattoos that I had a blast making for some wonderful people.

FLASH UPDATE . . Just reorganising the flash I have currently - sometimes it’s hard to know what’s available, ya know? These designs are always ready to go, but can be changed in any way you want to suit your taste. If these give you any ideas for custom tattoos as well I always wanna hear them and make it happen for ya! If the world is ending you may as well look cool while you car surf across the desert mad max style 🖤

Two flash pieces combined for Mike yesterday - super happy with how this came out! I’ve been itching to do more combinations of stippled shading and solid black, and this was such a good combo of pieces to tattoo and fun spot 👌 Little blastover peeking through there too, and I love how the old tattoo looks a bit like a tag on the wall of the new one. Can’t wait to see this healed up & looking settled, thanks as always for the trust! . Also if you’ve got some older tattoos that need changing, some love, or just blasted over, I’d love to hear about em! Always love the look of tattoos with old and new parts. Hit me up if you’re wondering what could be done with yours!

Such an amazing start to the year! Molly did not muck around with these custom shoulder pieces which I can’t wait to see finished. This is as far as we got during the first session, but stay tuned for the blacking out of the flames in the background 🤘🤘🤘 Thanks so much for the trust!

This was my last tattoo for the year for Andre. He walked into the shop, picked this off the flash board and got it stamped on his hand there and then. It felt like such a great way to round off the year - an original flash piece on a walk-in client. A tattoo that does what it says on the box! Looks like a tattoo, feels like a tattoo, and worn by you. . . I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s gotten a tattoo from me, liked a post, sent me encouraging words or just said in person they liked my work this year. It’s been a tough year of change for everyone, and I’m incredibly privileged and grateful to be doing what I’m doing. I know I can be a little sporadic on this app - but I’m super excited for what this coming year will bring. I hope the new year treats you all well, wishing you the best, and I’ll see you all in 2026 🖤🖤🖤

Life and times

Some recent favourites for your viewing pleasure. Many thanks to my wonderful clients for allowing me the privilege to tattoo you 🖤

Flying baby archer for @tatsbyeve Keen to do a bit more traditional styled stuff!

Me and Elijah had a huge day starting off this back for him. I appreciate the commitment so much, can’t thank you enough! It’s a huge privilege to do a piece like this, and especially for a client who’s been supporting my work for a minute 🙏 . This design changed a few times from when I first started it, but I’m really glad we did cause it fits him so much better than the original sketch I posted. Super keen to keep working on this! . If you’ve got any big plans like this - I definitely wanna hear em 👂