Tales in Ink - (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A cross-cultural exploration of Japan and Western perspectives through intricate ink photography by Rob Walbers and typography as illustrations or calligraphy by Bart Luijten. Text in English and Japanese.

Tales in Ink by Rob Walbers and Bart Luijten is a visually and conceptually rich exploration of identity, creativity, and self-expression through the art of tattooing. This loose-leaf publication brings together a series of intimate portraits and conversations with renowned figures from the creative world from Tokyo to Los Angeles, who share personal stories about how their tattoos have become integral to whom they are. Each interview delves into the symbolic meaning behind their ink, revealing how body art can reflect transformation, personality, memory, or artistic philosophy. Beyond documentation, the book's graphic design introduces a new visual dialogue, merging photography, typography, and illustration into a layered aesthetic that treats each page as a living canvas -- a "new tattoo" in itself. By intertwining word, image, and design, Tales in Ink transcends the boundaries of traditional portraiture and celebrates tattoo culture as a profound expression of creative identity and individuality.

Text in English and Japanese.

About the Author

Rob Walbers (b. 1981, Belgium) is a Tokyo-based photographer, whose practice spans music, portraiture, fashion, editorial and personal documentary projects. He studied photography at Karel De Grote in Antwerp. Early in his career he built a reputation as a concert and music photographer, capturing artists such as Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga and Radiohead. In 2010 he moved to Japan, drawn by the culture and its visual discipline, and gradually shifted his focus to fashion, lifestyle, and personal projects, which have resulted in numerous exhibitions and self-published photobooks. Walbers' work is characterized by a refined, atmospheric lens-style, combining high-tech craft with cultural immersion and sensitivity; his personal projects reflect his interest in Japan's culture of craftsmanship and ritual. His recent journal-type zine Tales in Ink underscores his evolving visual narrative. Bart Luijten (b. 1967) is a Belgian artist and graphic designer whose work has explored the boundaries of visual texture, analog print, and photographic noise. With a background in graphic design, Luijten is fascinated by the grain in print, film and analogue photography, treating "noise" as a form of visual information. He collaborates frequently with sculptural and installation practices (for instance with partner Ilse Michiels) and merges analog textures, collages and conceptual imagery into his work. Luijten's practice is characterized by a tactile and perceptual search: converting visual "noise" into symbolic form, exploring negative space, and challenging viewers' expectations of image and meaning. In November 2025, Bart Luijten published his first overview of his creative life in a 384-page book, titled Not For A Want Of Trying.