Zeke Owen (1940-?), known as Tattoo Zeke, is an American tattoo legend whose career began in 1958. Mentored by greats like Ernie Sutton, Captain Jim Malonson, Don Nolan, Hong Kong Tom, and Al Miller, he developed a distinctive style encompassing American traditional tattooing with a keen interest in Japanese aesthetics, influenced by his Japanese grandfather. Owen worked at Tahiti Felix in San Diego, befriended Sailor Jerry in Hawaii, and contributed his artistry to Bert Grimm’s on The Pike in Long Beach from 1963 to 1966. Beyond his tattooing, he was a captivating storyteller and penned the popular “Ask Zeke” advice column for Skin & Ink magazine. His profound influence continues to resonate throughout the industry.
