Hello Dylan, great to talk you for our BMW M and Me series. What is your first memory of BMW M?
I remember well that when I was about 8 years old, my sister and I used to play a game during long car rides to see who could spot the most beautiful car within a certain time frame. I often chose a BMW M because it was the only brand I knew that had good/fast cars. And you would often come across them on the highway. When time was up, there was never really a winner because we could never agree on which car was the most beautiful.
What was it that first attracted you to BMW M?
The first thing that attracted me was the sporty appearance. BMW M cars look fast and powerful. Something that impresses you a lot as a young boy.
What feeling are you searching for when you drive a car?
In the past, it was mainly about speed and a sporty look. As an athlete, you love speed, and your life revolves around sports, so you want to reflect that in your car as well. Now, with a new baby, it's mostly about comfort and a reliable car.
As a designer and artist, you are always searching for surreal and exciting images, how does the BMW M brand align with your style?
When I design tattoos, I try to create more than just an image. I aim to imbue them with meaning that goes beyond mere ink on skin. BMW M is also more than just a car brand. Their creative approach to branding is something that resonates with me deeply.
Do you think it is an artist’s role to take risks and if so, why?
Yes, definitely. You have to make mistakes occasionally to achieve something. Especially as an artist, you have to dare to push the boundaries. Try many things and see what works, especially what works for YOU.
What, in your view, is BMW M’s role in the modern-day automotive industry? Is it more than cars and into culture?
To connect with the young community, BMW M has a creative outlook on the automotive industry. This ensures that their role goes beyond just cars.
If you could distil the BMW M brand into one car from our current line-up, which one would it be and why?
For me, that would definitely be the BMW X6 M. It's the ideal combination of a sporty, powerful car for me. When I was young and saw this car for the first time, I was immediately sold.
How do you see BMW M’s relationship to tattoo and street culture?
I see the relationship primarily in the realm of self-expression. People express themselves through tattoos, and a BMW M model can also be a way to show who you are and what you stand for. This is something that you constantly see in street culture. It's a form of art.
Before you became a tattoo artist, you were an Olympic speed skater, what made you change path to being an artist?
After being a full-time athlete for 12 years, it was time for something else. I no longer found the same satisfaction in training and competing as I used to. I developed a passion for designing and drawing. And it seemed so cool to me to be able to immortalise my art on someone's body. And to this day, I still find a lot of satisfaction in it.
What feeling did you experience on the ice, going fast, racing against other high-level athletes, and being at the peak of physical performance?
That feeling is indescribable. I don't miss my skating career. But if there's anything I would miss, it would be the sensation of gliding over the ice at 50+ km/h using only my own body. It was so normal for me back then, but looking back on it now, it's actually quite bizarre.
You want to go from the ice rink to your tattoo studio - which M car would you choose and why?
I would go for the BMW i7 M70 xDrive. This is truly a car for an artist, and it seems comfortable to drive after a heavy training session.
