Torch INK » Artist Nguyen Phu Cuong

Nguyen Phu Cuong

I’m Nguyễn Phú Cường, and my journey with tattoo art began in 2016. I started from scratch, a complete zero in this field. Before tattoos, I was a student and worked at a beer club to support myself while studying. My passion for tattooing sparked through a close friend who also became my mentor. The toughest moment was deciding to leave my job, I chose to abandon stability to chase my dream, accepting that the road ahead wouldn’t be smooth. After years of dedication, I took a leap in 2018 to establish my own brand, a milestone in my career. Now, with 8 years in the industry, I’m the founder of Torch Ink Tattoo. My signature styles are Blackwork and Ornamental, with a special focus on Maori and Mandala designs. Along the way, I’ve earned recognition in various competitions, including:

1st Best of Day Blackwork – VNTC 2019
2nd Best of Day Freestyle – VNTC 2020
2nd Best Black and Grey Leg/Arm Sleeve – VNTC 2020
4th Best Ornamental – SGTE 2022
4th Best Black and Grey Leg/Arm Sleeve – SGTE 2022
1st Best of Day Freestyle – VNTC 2023
2nd Best Ornamental – SGTE 2024
2nd Best Blackwork , Mandala , Maori Nakhonpathom Tattoo Convention 2024
1st Best Tribal Mummy Tattoo Expo 2024
3rd Freehand Shanghai Festival Tattoo Art 2024
1St Best Ornamental DNG Tattoo Magazine

And also served as a judge at:

Mini Tattoo Award 2024, Vietnam
Shandong Tattoo 2024, China
Shanghai Festival Tattoo Art 2024, China
Kapatik World Tattoo Expo 2025, Philippines
Ink Ghost Tattoo Festival, Thailand

In the near future, I aim to bring my unique tattoo styles to the international tattoo community.

A Few Words on Freestyle Tattooing: Just like freestyle rap, where artists improvise without pre-written lyrics, freestyle in tattooing, especially with Maori tattoos, works the same way for me. I don’t prepare designs in advance; instead, I let the ideas flow from my mind, sketching directly by hand before bringing them to life. This is how I approach my Maori style work. Thank you for trusting and joining me on this journey. Respect 🔥.

NguyễnPhúCường

My Latest Works

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My Style

Blackwork

I work primarily in Blackwork, where I rely entirely on solid black ink to bring out the strongest contrast possible. Whether it’s bold, filled shapes or clean outlines, I’m drawn to the intensity that pure black delivers

Ornamental

Ornamental tattoos are where I explore symmetry, balance, and intricacy. I enjoy building up detailed geometric patterns that often blend into influences from Maori or Mandala art. These designs aren’t just decorative for me, they’re like structured expressions of rhythm and flow, created with both patience and precision.