Anko | Founder
Hyper Realism & Portrait Tattoo Artist
Master Piercer
Anastasis Koukoulas was born in Athens, Greece, he is a multi-sponsored award-winning artist specializing in micro-detailed realism (mostly portraits) and has been working as a tattoo artist since 2014.
Anko Tattoos is considered by many to be the best tattoo artist in Oslo, Norway (den beste tatovøren i Oslo, Norge) and one of the best tattoo artists in the world. Today he lives in Oslo where he made his dreams come true and owns his own tattoo studio.
Anko’s Journey
He moved to Rhodes, Greece in 2015 where he took his first steps as a professional tattoo artist working in a studio. After that he attended BMX.net seminars in Düsseldorf, Germany. His skills started to grow rapidly and then he went to Denmark for his first European tour. He stayed in Copenhagen and worked in a busy tattoo studio with other great artists.
After his time in Denmark, he received many job offers from tattoo studios in England. He worked for 2 years as a tattoo artist and manager in a busy, 20-year-established tattoo studio just outside London.
He attended the Maidstone Tattoo Convention (a charity tattoo festival without awards) twice. There he received his first recognition for his level of skill, and he had his first interviews, TV appearances and articles written about himself in Vice Magazine.
In 2018, he was invited to work and teach tattoo techniques and color palette seminars at Salvation Tattoo Lounge, an award-winning and extremely well-known tattoo studio in Miami, Florida.
After his time in the US, he returned to Greece for a short while, working in one of the most historic and famous tattoo studios on the Greek island of Crete.
After his time in Greece, he moved to Oslo to work in one of the most famous tattoo studios in Norway. He fell in love with the city and today owns his own tattoo studio, Viaticum Gallery, in the Norwegian capital.
Anko’s Latest Achievements & Collaborations
Anko continues to expand his artistic influence beyond the tattoo industry, building strong connections within Norway’s music, television, and entertainment scene. Among his recent highlights are his participation in Tons of Rock, one of Norway’s biggest rock festivals, and Karpe World, bringing his tattoo artistry backstage to tattoo bands and musicians. His growing presence in the entertainment industry has also led to an acting appearance in a special episode of the popular Norwegian TV series Helt Perfekt, alongside exclusive events and creative collaborations such as WALL DAG OG NATT.
From tattooing internationally recognized personalities and working backstage at major music festivals to appearing on television and receiving awards at international tattoo conventions, Anko continues to push creative boundaries. As the founder of Viaticum Gallery in Oslo, he remains committed to elevating tattoo artistry, building meaningful collaborations, and expanding his influence across the international art and entertainment industries.
With more exciting projects and exclusive collaborations yet to be revealed, Anko’s journey is far from over.
Notable Clients
Anko has welcomed many famous people to his studio, including Tomine Harket – the singer of Darkside feat. Alan Walker with over 700 million views and who is also the daughter of Morten Harket (the Norwegian singer of the band A-HA)
He has also tattooed world-famous footballer Christos Zafiris who plays for Slavia Prague and the Norwegian national team, Aron Dønnum (Standard De Liege) and Celin Bizet Ildhusøy who played for Paris Saint Germain.
Awards & Recognitions
Anko has been invited to the most iconic tattoo studios, including InkedMagazine NYC, Inknation NYC, Inkology NYC & LA, and more. He was also invited to the first New York City VIP Invite-Only Tattoo Convention in 2022, featuring the top 300 artists in the world, created and organized by Donal Cranny.
Currently ranked among the top 100 tattoo artists globally, he has achieved a position of distinction in the industry. His insights and expertise are featured in an exclusive interview hosted on Monster Crawling, a renowned platform showcasing the pinnacle of tattoo artistry worldwide.
He continues to travel the world, attending conventions, collaborating with other artists, teaching seminars, and creating new stories with tattoos while taking his art to new levels.
In 2026, Anko achieved another international milestone at the Cyprus Tattoo Convention, earning 2nd Place for Best Portrait. This recognition further highlights his exceptional attention to detail, artistic precision, and mastery of realistic portrait tattooing.
Sponsorships
Anko is proudly sponsored by leading brands in the international tattoo industry, including InkJecta, Hustle Butter, Sullen Clothing, Proton, and Onyx. These partnerships reflect his professional reputation, dedication to quality, and commitment to working with innovative products that support his artistic precision and creativity.
As his international presence continues to grow, Anko remains focused on building strong relationships with brands that share his passion for tattoo artistry and excellence.
As Seen on The JOE ROGAN Experience
Anko’s artistic journey enjoys a global following, with admirers spanning different regions. Notably, UFC announcer and host of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, Joe Rogan, has expressed his admiration for his work.
This recognition was underscored by Joe Rogan’s decision to repost Anko’s creations on his social media platform — with over 18 million followers — paying tribute to the exceptional skill and artistry he displayed.
Top 100 Tattoo Artist Worldwide
Anko currently ranks among the top 100 tattoo artists globally, holding a distinguished position in the industry. His insights and expertise are featured in an exclusive interview on Monster Crawling, a renowned platform showcasing the pinnacle of tattoo art worldwide.
Anko’s Portfolio
A curated look at Anko’s hyper-realistic portrait work — precision, detail, and artistry brought to life.
