Troy Denning Tattoo

TROY DENNING has 17 years of tattooing experience, traveling extensively both in Europe and Japan, and learning from the best in the industry. Troy’s choice to permanently make his home in New York City is testament to his love of knowledge, ambition, and excitement, all of which are reflected in his art - tattooing.  The learning process, which is vital to Troy’s livelihood, is integral to the unique essence of tattooing itself. This learning process is ongoing and is what motivates him to elevate and preserve the art of tattooing.

Troy’s passion to give something back to the art form that has fueled his entire adult life is enhanced further by the human contact aspect of tattooing. For Troy, it is fulfilling to know that a profession that gives him so much pleasure, in turn gives power to another. Troy states that, “it is rewarding to know that I have done - hopefully - to the best of my ability something that will forever be with someone and mean something to them. It is with each day that I not only learn to love my profession a bit more, but I increasingly develop a greater appreciation for the craft. I want to give this and relay this to my client.”

It is only with discipline, sacrifice, and respect that Troy has been able to reach the point he is currently at and is thus able to move forward in the world of tattooing. In Troy’s own words, “it is my duty and obligation to bring this to all my clients.”

INVISIBLE NYC is an exclusive, appointment only tattoo studio and art gallery. Troy is unique in his approach to the craft. He understands that both the artist and client contribute to the tattoo process and Troy provides a uniquely personalized, intimate atmosphere for the client to pursue his or her vision.  INVISIBLE NYC is a fusion gallery and studio supporting the contemporary art and tattoo communities.  It is a project of the husband and wife team of Troy and Jesse Lee Denning.  Jesse, born and raised in NYC’s West Village, earned undergraduate and Masters degrees in Art History and Video Art from New York University and has worked in well-known, prestigious galleries in mid-town, Chelsea, and Soho.  She will curate an ongoing series of exhibitions presenting a range of works that exemplify the best of current multi-media art.  INVISIBLE NYC will host the making and the exhibition of art.

In 1996 after a half-century of protest and lobbying, tattooing finally became legal in New York City. Almost overnight tattoo studios popped up all over Manhattan with very little experience or legitimacy in the field. INVISIBLE NYC exists in stark contrast to this trend, championing creativity, technical excellence, and above all else boundless respect for the timeless discipline of tattooing. The future of INVISIBLE NYC lies in establishing industry standards of quality work and client service, reclaiming and reinventing the art, craft and culture of tattooing, and connecting to new markets everyday.

INVISIBLE NYC takes a new step in the presentation of contemporary art.  We recognize that tattooing stems from a fusion of urban life and artistic creativity and that New York City is the birthplace or adopted home of many great artists and the center of major art movements.  New York City and INVISIBLE NYC form the perfect setting for artists (in tattooing and other media) to work and to show their work.  INVISIBLE NYC is a place for interaction among artists of varied disciplines and between artists and the public.  While encouraging and supporting contemporary urban art, the studio acknowledges tattooing as an influential and creative presence in the world.  The tattoo studio has been redefined and the art gallery has been reinvented.

INVISIBLE NYC is where one can experience art while art is being created.  It is also a place to hear or participate in discussions with artists.  A visit to INVISIBLE NYC is enriched by the energy and vibrancy produced where art is both created and exhibited. The gallery and tattoo studio interact to form a synergistic whole.

Photos courtesy of Kara Collier-Ibanez.