Welcome to BLACKOUT, a custom tattoo studio in Hong Kong by Rob Kelly.

Founded in 2010, BLACKOUT is driven by the core belief that tattoo art is more than a book of tired designs and worn clichés. The soul of BLACKOUT is custom design, professionalism and singularity. Each tattoo is as unique as the person carrying it, and that is just as it should be.

For years, tattooing endured the unwanted label of “low-brow art.” This was especially true in Hong Kong, where a casual, cookie-cutter attitude to tattooing was the norm. Our goal is to destroy that perception and provide the same exacting standards from leading studios across the world, giving Hong Kong a world-class option right in our backyard. Our goal is to make each tattoo precisely as good as it can be.

To help achieve this, BLACKOUT brings in a constant cycle of visiting world-class talent from across the globe. Each of our guest and resident artists shares the same dedication and pride in maximising the impact of every piece. We want people to see the full potential of what a tattoo can be. We’re here to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with needle and ink.

Rob has been tattooing since 2005. He was born in Kent, United Kingdom, the son of an Army Engineer and a Potter. The family moved to Hong Kong in 1994, and Rob has since made Hong Kong his home.

He has been obsessed with drawing since he was a a child, and can normally be found putting pen to paper in the studio, even on his days off.

Rob tattoos in a number of different styles, using everything around him as inspiration to create unique pieces for his clients. Rob feels that every tattoo should be a collaboration between artist and client, and creates one-off custom designs for each and every person. This not only means much more original tattoos, but also a  much more personal experience, and a tattoo tailored specifically for you.