2007 Best Visual Artist
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39.53% Donny Manco*
Others with Votes (more than one):
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“I have all along been a painter. I draw and paint every day of my life, which is a great privilege,” explains artist Donny Manco, best known to the Whammy-voting contingent as one of the region’s leading tattoo artists. “I graduated from the University of Saint Francis in 1993 with a degree in art education,” he explains. “I secretly thought that I would paint my way to success in my spare time as a school teacher – then realized that teachers don’t have any spare time.” After four years of teaching, Manco – the first person not named Terry Ratliff to win the Visual Artist of the Year Whammy – started to focus on a new passion: permanent body art. Studying the tattoo trade as he could beginning in 1996, Manco and his brother, Dominick, opened Studio 13 Creative Skin Design in 1999, just two years after tattooing was made legal in Indiana. “I studied under Steve ‘Wildman’ Arnett and Dave Knox until 1999. [Studio 13] quickly set the standard for the art gallery/tattoo studio combo that has now become the local industry standard,” explained Manco. For years the Manco brothers hit the road, working tattoo shows and conventions everywhere from New York City to Denver, Colorado. “I’m proud to say that our studio’s involvement in the industry helped to lead to the resurgent popularity of tattooing.” In 2006 the Mancos sold Studio 13 to the business-minded Jake Farris, in turn allowing Donny to once again focus on his passion for fine art. No longer largely responsible for Studio 13’s business affairs, Manco fast became one of the nation’s top tattoo artists. “I have now been in the industry for 12 years and have tattooed thousands of folks near and far. It has been as rewarding as any career I could dream of.” Google the name “Donny Manco” and you’ll fast realize a number of things. For starters, Manco’s tattoo work has been photographed and published in more tattoo and lifestyle magazines than just about anyone. His work as a painter, too, has been widely celebrated. “I’ve participated in shows locally and nationally, presenting paintings that reflect my ongoing interests in human spirituality,” explained Manco. “I have in recent years separated my painting from financial motivations and now paint simply to express my personal platforms on culture and spirituality.” Surprised at the news of being nominated for a Whammy, Manco candidly expressed his thoughts before winning the award. “I think this award holds a strange amount of gravity locally, and I am really humbled to be included with Tim [Brumbeloe], Mee [Kyung Shim] and Terry [Ratliff] as artists with a high local profile. Awards in general are a very fickle thing, and in this case I don’t believe this award defines superiority in any shape or form. More so, it tells you who is making a case for art that reaches the public – namely the voting public – and, in that arena, I suppose I have accomplished a lot.” Surprised even more so upon hearing his name announced as 2008’s winner, Manco was quickly able to put things into perspective for others who may have been surprised, hailing tattoo art galleries as a prime factor. “Above everything else I’ve been focused on bringing art back to the public at large. I’ve seen folks commissioning art that would never have an occasion to step foot into a gallery or museum. The working class has a voice again when it comes to art,” Manco said. “And, yes, I’m excited to have won and consider this a highlight of my career.” (Greg Locke) |
* On the ballot
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