Natural Games: in his caravan, Joe Tonté tattoos festival-goers all over France

Dans sa caravane, “des tatouages de bonne aventure”. Midi Libre – Laura Vaillant

Présente sur le village des Natural Games, la tatoueuse ambulante s’est lancée dans l’aventure il y a neuf ans.

There are around ten of them, every day, trying out this concept with Joe Tonté. Getting tattooed at a festival. The young woman, installed in the Natural Games village since Thursday, came with her tattoo parlor on wheels. From festivals to festivals, from events to events, she pimps the skin of festival-goers in her caravan.

For fourteen years Joe Tonté, who qualifies as "nomad tattoo artist", has made his living from this profession. "I started during my studies in illustration in Nantes to be able to finance my life, especially in my laundry room, s’have fun -she remembering her student years. Then now, I've been tattooing in caravans for nine years, and four years I've only been tattooing at festivals."

"For a taste of adventure"

A destiny that fell upon him. The result of chance, ultimately. "I had a tattoo parlor, and I was offered to tattoo at a festival. But it was during winter. Then came the idea of ​​setting up a closed space that could also meet hygiene standards." Then, the The idea of ​​the caravan arose. Once the research and arrangements were made, Joe Tonté's adventure could begin.

"What I like is the nomad life. I do it out of a sense of adventure. And all NG people will agree with that, it’s really the spirit of this festival", validates the artist. Bringing art into the daily lives of festival-goers to connect individuals."We're not just a tattoo artist, we offer a scenography to festival-goers." Indeed, the tattoos are adapted according to the places in which she travels. Here, references to climbing, outdoor sports and nomadic life.

Appreciating the encounters she can make on this type of event, the one who is originally from the Pyrenees admits: "I also come to festivals to enjoy the artists present on stage. I look at the programming when someone asks me to come.

Combining the useful with the pleasant in short for this modern-day bohemian which will only arise next winter "to recreate a little nest". Whether ad vitam aeternam or punctual, the Natural Games brand will remain "entrenched" in the skin and memories of festival-goers.

Joe Tonté offers permanent and occasional tattoos on his stand.