The World's Best Tattoo Artists

Curated List

The World's Best Tattoo Artists

Dakota Weik explores global tattoo cultures as Inked Abroad. Real Artists, real traditions, real stories from around the world.

In Collaboration with Inked Abroad

January 15, 2025

Meet Inked Abroad: Documenting the World's Best Tattoo Artists

Inked Abroad (Dakota Weik) didn't set out to become one of the world's most respected voices in tattoo culture. But somewhere between a struggling clothing company, a Swiss train ride, and collecting tattoos across three continents, he found his calling: documenting the stories behind the world's most exceptional tattoo Artists.

Today, as a CO:CREATE Curator, Dakota brings that same passion for authentic storytelling to his carefully selected list of top artists. His selections aren't based on Instagram popularity or pretty photos - they're about Artists who consistently deliver excellent work and understand their craft.

The Journey to Curator

It started with three tattoos and a train ride. Dakota had collected tattoos from Greece, Canada, and India, treating his body as "a real-life passport" of his travels. But it was during a journey through the Swiss Alps in 2018 that everything clicked.

"I was 26, delivering groceries full-time, watching my clothing company struggle," Dakota recalls. "But I'd always had this burning desire to unite cultures and tell stories. Sitting on that train, three ideas came together: my love for collecting tattoos abroad, my fascination with Anthony Bourdain's authentic approach to culture, and this crazy idea that maybe I could document tattoo Artists the way he documented food culture."

What emerged was Inked Abroad – a platform dedicated to showcasing exceptional tattoo Artists from around the world, not through staged content or celebrity appearances, but through raw, authentic storytelling.

A Different Kind of Documentation

Unlike traditional tattoo media, Dakota's approach is refreshingly transparent about his process. He doesn't plan collaborations ahead of time or charge Artists for features. Instead, he spends months studying each Artist before creating content that brings their story to the world.

"I've never charged an Artist for the content I produce for them," he explains. "I'm here to help tell their story and create a medium where they can focus on the beautiful art they make."

This approach caught the attention of major networks – including one that wanted to add celebrities to every episode of a potential TV series. Dakota turned them down.

"If there's one thing I'm stubborn about, it's authenticity," he says. "Adding celebrities would drag focus away from the Artists and wouldn't allow for a true presentation of what it really means to be that Artist."

The Five Pillars of Excellence

Instead, Dakota created his own documentary series, "Life Beyond Ink," with minimal budget and maximum authenticity. Through spending time in Artists' actual lives – learning to cheerlead with Amanda Graves' daughter, drag racing with Sergey in Washington woods, carving pumpkins with the Murray brothers – he developed a deep understanding of what separates good Artists from great ones.

Dakota Weik's Curation Criteria:

Quality

Flawless execution and attention to detail

Knowledge

Deep understanding of the craft and tattoo history

Creativity

Unique designs that stand out

Passion

A love for tattooing that shines through their work

Consistency

Delivering excellence every time

"These aren't just technical requirements," Dakota notes. "They're about Artists who understand that tattooing is both an art form and a cultural tradition that deserves respect and preservation."

Dakota Weik

The Global Perspective

From his early days collecting tattoos in Greece, Canada, and India to documenting Artists across continents, Dakota brings a truly global perspective to his curation. His list includes Artists who understand that great tattooing transcends geographical boundaries while still honoring cultural traditions.

"I've spent years studying the differences in tattoo culture across the globe," he explains. "The best Artists understand both their local traditions and how they connect to the broader evolution of the craft."

Preserving Authenticity in a Digital World

As social media transforms how people discover tattoo Artists, Dakota's commitment to documentation becomes even more valuable. His approach – spending real time with Artists, understanding their processes, and presenting their work without artificial enhancement – offers something increasingly rare: honest representation.

"I pledged myself to help preserve tattoo culture – its authenticity, its legacy," he says. "That means showing Artists as they really are, not as social media algorithms think they should be."

For Clients browsing his Curated World’s Best Artists List, this translates to Artists who are exactly what they appear to be: masters of their craft who approach tattooing with the seriousness and passion it deserves.

The CO:CREATE Connection

Dakota's selection process for CO:CREATE mirrors his documentary approach: extensive research, detailed assessment, and a focus on Artists who represent the best of tattoo culture. Each Artist on his list has been thoroughly studied, not just for their current work but for their approach to the craft itself.

"When I recommend an Artist, I'm putting my reputation behind them," he explains. "These aren't just people who make pretty tattoos. They're Artists who understand the responsibility that comes with permanently marking someone's body."

His list serves as a bridge between Clients seeking exceptional work and Artists who have dedicated their lives to excelling in this art form. It's curation in the truest sense – not just selection, but education about what makes tattooing at its highest level truly special.

In a world of endless Instagram scrolling and DM guesswork, Dakota's Curated List offers something different: Artists selected by someone who has spent years understanding what excellence looks like, delivered through a platform that puts Artists first.

Your skin, your choice, your story – but when you're ready to work with the best, Dakota's list is where you'll find them.

The Curated List

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Follow Inked Abroad

Inked Abroad (Dakota Weik) continues to document exceptional tattoo Artists through his platform and documentary series "Life Beyond Ink." His Curated List of global masters is available exclusively on CO:CREATE.

@inkedabroad | inkedabroad.com

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