Eli Ink, a 27-year-old tattoo artist from Brighton has spent the last ten years transforming himself.
He has used several coats of ink to permanently blacken his skin. He also implanted huge stretchers in his nose and under his bottom lip.
He has used several coats of ink to permanently blacken his skin. He also implanted huge stretchers in his nose and under his bottom lip.
He said: "I’ve always been blown away by art itself. Picasso is a huge childhood inspiration to me, especially abstract art, but I do like all forms of art. Body art was just the next local step for me growing up."
"I wanted to look like an abstract character in one of Picasso’s paintings. I love the abstract look, no thought, just pure expression."
The side effects include headaches, extreme sensitivity to light, ink migration and staining of the immediate tissues. These risk can go up if you have previous eye problems.
"That’s the risk you take letting anyone near your eyes, even trained surgeons can make mistake. Body modification is a risk taker's lifestyle," He said.
His girlfriend Holly, who is madly in love with him is also another body-mod enthusiast.
He said: "The best is always nice compliments, that’s always nice to hear, either from tattoo collectors or just passers-by, the worst is always older generation looking down on you and making you feel worthless."
"My work is not perfect, there is still room for improvement, everyone must start somewhere."