Matt Roe is a tattooer, artist, and gallery owner based in the heart of West London.
Operating from his appointment-only, private studio in Kensington, Matt expertly juggles his dynamic tattoo business, his personal art practice, and his role as a curator, offering a platform for other artists to showcase their work through his gallery.
With over 15 years of experience in the tattoo industry, Matt has crafted bespoke tattoos for a wide array of clients, ranging from celebrities and high-profile athletes, to passionate art lovers and discerning collectors. His clientele appreciates not only the exclusivity and privacy his studio offers but also the personalised attention to detail that Matt brings to each session.
Beyond tattooing, Matt is deeply involved in collaborations with notable brands, where he infuses his artistic vision into “unique projects that transcend traditional tattooing”. These collaborations often reflect his commitment to quality and creativity, reinforcing his status not just as a tattooist but as a multifaceted artist in the contemporary creative world.
We caught up with Matt Roe for the latest edition of our ‘My London’ interview series.
Favourite neighbourhood:
I’m a big fan of Soho, it’s great for people watching and a nice meet up point for friends that live in different parts of London.
Favourite place for brunch:
My go-to spot for a special brunch occasion is Tom Kerridge’s Bar and Grill at the Corinthia Hotel. It’s not your typical brunch scene, but the atmosphere and the food are great. It holds a special place in my heart, not just for the food but also because it’s a venue that displays my artwork. They’ve even crafted a cocktail inspired by my work, aptly named ‘the Apollo Spritz.’ It’s always a treat to visit.
Best coffee in London:
I’m more of a tea drinker and believe I make the best cuppa in the business, but my favourite cafe is Coffee Bread and Olive Oil on Kings Road. I really like the small baguette sandwiches they do and it’s a nice place to rock up on your own with a laptop.
Favourite gallery or museum:
I like The Design Museum in Kensington, the architecture of the building is really cool and often has interesting exhibits. I’ve also enjoyed a few of their craft classes as I always like to try different creative practices.
Tell us a secret:
I’ve always been an artist but many people don’t know that before moving into tattooing I did a degree in Fashion Design. Which definitely had a big part in leading me to my current career.
Favourite place to shop:
Portobello Road Market. Whether it’s antiques, fashion, or rare finds, this market never disappoints.
Favourite place to find inspiration:
Probably my studio/gallery ‘The Studio by Matt Roe’ I surround myself with things that give me inspiration and try to create a space that’s relaxing for myself and any client that visits.
Best London destination for a date:
I’m recently single and I feel like first dates are very different to relationship dates so trying to figure that all out at the moment. I’ve not got any go to spots yet so might have to read some of your previous interviews for inspiration.
Favourite park:
Battersea Park is the park for me. During lockdown I was lucky enough to walk it most days so know all the interesting tucked away parts. Great views and you can always walk to the power station if you get hungry.
Favourite food market:
Borough Market is always a nice one to go to but definitely need to explore more as I’m a big foodie.
Your sanctuary in the city:
I like to drop into Soho House Greek Street in the day time and get a bit of drawing work on my iPad done there. It’s a chilled out space that’s always consistent so I always know what to expect.
What inspires you?
Being around the right people—other creatives, friends, anyone who’s up for bouncing around ideas. That kind of energy is contagious and can really kickstart my creativity, especially on those creative block days
This season I’m loving…
That we’re on the tail end of the winter months. London is such a better place when the weather improves. People get out of their hibernation and back to enjoying the city again. Less Deliveroo’s and more meeting ups.
