Lu Xin (Lucine)

Unlocking Art on Skin: Lucine’s Fusion of Tattoo and Contemporary Art

“Tattooing is the integration of art into the body. It’s not just a design; it’s a convergence of personal memory, cultural symbols, and contemporary artistic language.”

—Lucine

For centuries, tattooing has been seen as a form of personal expression, but in Lucine’s work, it transcends decoration and becomes an artistic medium in its own right. As an artist and tattooist based in Orange County, California, she merges cultural heritage, visual storytelling, and fine art, seamlessly transitioning between skin and canvas. Her works, such as Shackled, the mythology-inspired Kylin, and her exploration of freedom and constraint, all reflect her distinctive artistic vision.

Lucine’s journey into art and tattooing began in a traditional fine arts setting. While studying at an art academy, she was immersed in exhibitions, seminars, and creative exchanges with fellow artists. Originally an illustrator, she discovered tattooing through a senior artist who incorporated illustration into her tattoo work.

“That was an eye-opener for me,” Lucine recalls. “I started wondering—why not break free from the conventional categories of tattooing and make it more fluid and expressive?”

This realization led her to blend different artistic styles in her tattoos, breaking away from rigid classifications. “Each tattoo commission is like a creative challenge, where I merge the client’s personal story with my artistic approach,” she explains. In contrast, fine art serves as a deeply introspective process for her. “Tattooing is about understanding others, while my personal art is about questioning and expressing myself.”

One of Lucine’s most thought-provoking works, Shackled, explores the theme of human constraints within nature and society. Surprisingly, it was inspired by a childhood memory—her beloved music boxes.

“Every year on my birthday, I received a music box. One of my favorites was a crystal music box with a dancer that twirled when the melody played,” she shares. “But as I grew older, I realized how many people live within predefined roles, endlessly repeating the same motions—just like that dancer.”

Through this work, she reflects on human existence and the illusion of control. “We think we shape the world, but in reality, we are part of a larger system, bound by natural and societal forces.” For Lucine, true freedom is not the absence of constraint but the ability to navigate and find meaning within it.

Luxin | Shackled | 2022

Lucine often draws from Eastern folklore, merging traditional symbols with contemporary artistic approaches. Kylin is a prime example—her interpretation of the mythical Chinese Qilin using the bold aesthetics of street graffiti.

“The Qilin is a symbol of prosperity and fortune in Chinese mythology. I’ve always admired how ancient people created these mythical beings with such imaginative narratives,” she says. “In my student years, I became fascinated by street art, so I experimented with integrating graffiti-style composition and color schemes into this traditional figure.”

By using exaggerated motion and vibrant hues of purple and blue, she gives the ancient creature a modern energy. “I love making history converse with the present—breathing new life into classical motifs through contemporary artistic language.”

Lucine balances the structured approach of tattoo design with the free expression of fine art. “Tattooing is a more analytical process—I consider skin texture, muscle structure, and composition,” she explains. 

“Fine art, on the other hand, is an emotional release, guided by intuition rather than constraints.”

Yet, for her, both share a fundamental goal: exploration. “Whether it’s on skin or canvas, my work is always about pushing my creative boundaries and finding new ways to tell a story.”

Lucine has received multiple awards, including the No Boundaries group exhibition’s “Best Audience Choice Award.” To her, recognition is not just about validation but about emotional connection.

“Genuine artistic expression resonates with people,” she says. “Knowing my work can connect with an audience makes me feel less alone in my creative journey and motivates me to keep experimenting.”

When discussing tattooing’s place in contemporary art, she sees it as an extension of performance art. “Tattooing is a fusion of painting and performance. I don’t think it needs ‘art world’ validation—it already stands as a deeply personal and expressive form,” she states. “For many, tattoos are not just aesthetics; they are emotional anchors, personal statements, and even tools for healing.”

She believes artistic value isn’t about institutional recognition but about the meaning it holds for those who experience it.

From childhood memories of a music box to street art-inspired mythical creatures, from reflections on freedom and constraint to tattooing as a deeply personal medium, Lucine constantly challenges artistic boundaries.

For her, tattooing and fine art are not separate disciplines but interconnected forms of storytelling. As she puts it: “Art has no fixed form—what matters is whether it touches the soul.”

Luxin | Kylin | 2022