Body Modification Artist Spends 10-Years Transforming Himself

A British body modification artist has spent the last ten-years completely transforming himself and now sports almost entirely black skin, dyed eyeballs and massive stretchers in his nose and lip.

Twenty-seven-year-old Eli, a tattooist from Brighton, says he became interested in body-mods from a young age after seeing his uncle's tribal tattoo.

Instagram/Eliinkpiercer

Speaking to the MailOnline, 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."

Going on to say that the only person who understand his 'transition' is him.

He said: "I wanted to look like an abstract character in one of Picasso's paintings. I love the abstract look, no thought just pure expression."

As well as covering most of the outside of his body with several layers of black ink, Eli has also tattooed the inside of his mouth and his eyeballs - something which he admits was 'risky'.

Instagram/Eliinkpiercer

Eli, who's girlfriend Holly is also part of the body modification scene, said that his body is still a work progress which will 'never be finished' and that he's dedicating the rest of his life to 'perfecting his work'.

The tattooist says he's part of a sub-culture within a broader group called 'Modern Primitives' who pay homage to the rites of passage used in primitive cultures through modifications.

Instagram/Eliinkpiercer

As well as being covered in ink, Eli has a number of piercings and massive stretchers in either side of his nose and bottom lip. Other body modification fans undergo ear-pointing, scarification and ear lob reconstruction - all of which Eli studies.

When it comes to how he's treated by the general public, Eli told the news outlet: "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.

WATCH: 104-YEAR-OLD GETS RECORD-BREAKING TATTOO FOR HIS BIRTHDAY

"But this is all a state of mind. I don't take much notice anymore"

You can check out Eli's work on his Instagram page, here.

Source: Daily Mail

Topics: Instagram, Interesting, UK

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19