Jeff Tam, the owner and principal artist of Monkey King Tattoos at 774 Kingsway, began his tattooing journey during high school, learning the craft through self-practice and work on his peers.

Following the completion of an Economics degree at the University of British Columbia, he formally pursued a career in the industry. Over the past decade, Tam has refined his technical skills through extensive international travel, including time spent in Miami, Japan, and the Czech Republic.

His work is heavily informed by his cultural heritage, focusing on traditional Asian imagery, mythology, and the principles of feng shui to create balanced, custom designs.

As an artist, Tam specializes in large-scale, ornate compositions such as full arm sleeves, back pieces, and complete “body-suit” or “tuxedo” tattoos that cover most of the skin.

He utilizes a vast personal catalogue of artwork to assist clients in developing unique, long-term projects, emphasizing that each design should be something a collector feels they “can’t live without”.

To maintain technical consistency and ensure high-quality results, Tam prioritizes serious collectors who are committed to finishing their projects within a consistent timeframe. His approach is meticulous and research-intensive, with a professional focus on longevity and the evolution of tattooing techniques.