WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. – The tattooist Matthew R. Lampi has closed his Get to the Point studio in the wake of a federal indictment that he traded in stolen human body parts. His state license as a tattooer, however, remains active. The studio, at Wildwood Shopping Center in White Bear Lake, had been the culmination of Lampi’s 30 years in tattooing and widely recognized artistry. His work has been among the most complex and inventive in the business. About the federal indictment, Lampi’s attorney, Stephen Becker, said that Lampi had not pleaded and had no comment about the allegations.
“Epidermal artistry.” Lampi’s own term for his life’s work. Image: From his online site.
Matt Lampi’s self-profile
Excerpts from from an autobiographical piece in the magazine Skin Deep in 2008:
“I have been interested in tattooing since I was about 14 years old. Since then I poked at myself and my friends. After years of underground tattooing, I opened Get to the Point Tattoos Inc. I had a nice following that grew four-fold within two years.”
“Tattooing is a sacred art medium. I am honored and privileged to engrave my images onto a living, bleeding canvas. Derma-illustration gets more exciting to me each day. I cannot see myself doing anything else. As long as the tattoo gods allow me to ink people, I will do my best to decorate the epidermis.”
“If you believe in the positive and good in things, you must embrace the dark and negative as well. So many artists have trouble with drawing or designing evil images and those that nature has not been kind to; the dark and chilling side of the human condition should be brought to life as well. Sunny days are great and special, but the near misses and spooky sounds in the night really make you think and feel alive. Without one another you have no contrast to compare with.”
“I work so much I miss out on relaxation. Some people are just built to run at high speeds at all times. I am one of those creatures. I get up at 7 a.m. and I’m out the door by 8 a.m, returning home at 8 p.m. or later each night. I do get time with my wife Karen and daughter Brooklyn and I savor each minute.”
“My mind never relaxes. I am always in a constant state of flux. When I am not tattooing or designing, I collect items. My collection consists of several tantric Kampalas, human skulls, a mortician’s make-up kit (previously used of course) and a customer’s toe.”
Lampi sampler
