In recent years, cybersigilism – the controversial, cyborgian tattoo style – has hacked its way into our cultural landscape. Defined by fine-lined, greyscale drawings resembling skeletal veins, these strange designs mirror the growing digitalisation of the modern world. We first reported on the style back in early 2022: at the time, writer Günseli Yalcinkaya referred to them as “post-human or nu-tribal” patterns, marrying Y2K tribal aesthetics with the biomechanical surrealism of H.R. Giger.

Like many new alternative tattoo styles – like post-ironic or ‘ignorant‘, for example – cybersigilism is polarising, and has been dubbed Gen Z’s answer to Gen X’s tribal tattoos and Millennial’s infinity loops. Today, the average cybersigilism sporter can be found skirting the perimeter of a Deptford gallery opening, a Bushwick rave, or a Kreuzberg tattoo flash day. Tiptoeing the void between futuristic and primal, they’re probably wearing a pair of tech-guy glasses or blasting Bassvictim, while nursing a nicotine addiction and a couple of piercing infections.

Sound intriguing? Below, we round up seven artists pushing the digital frontier with their cybersigil designs.

RYURITNEYSPEARS

Artist Ryu is currently based between London and Paris. Their designs converge cybernetic elements with intricate and abstract forms.

HELLYEAHSORRYMOM

London-based artist André Texas describes his work as if Hello Kitty and H.R. Giger had a punk baby obsessed with pearls and memes. Blending classical art references and unconventional designs, he says his tattoos are “sexy, chaotic, yet balanced”.

0P4QU3

Montreal-based artist Kyle creates designs that fuse anatomical and abstract elements. His work is defined by intricate, spiky patterns to create a futuristic, skeletal look.

PRADAGOTH.TTT

Based between Berlin and Los Angeles, Lukas creates gothic-leaning cybersigil tattoos. Their work adopts a unique approach to tattooing, combining baroque, neo-tribal, cybersigilism and gothic styles in their designs. 

SWAGATATTOO

Based between Los Angeles and New York, artist Artur Vasylenko brings an undercover approach to cybersigilism.

NICOTOELINES

Based in Seoul, artist Jin merges cybernetic tribal forms with gothic aesthetics. These motifs are expressed through clean, precise lines.

BYUKI_TTT

London-based artist Yuki’s designs are freehand gothic abstract ornaments. With a baroque influence, their work takes a more fluid approach on cybersigilism’s signature spikes.