Today we’d like to introduce you to Edi Ordu.
Hi Edi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My devotion to remaining an artist has overcome countless obstacles throughout my life that has shaped me into the artist I am today. From an early age, I felt the growing passion for drawing and hoped to pursue it within my academic studies. However, my family’s financial unease and concern for my well-being pressured me to utilize my good grades to enroll in a technical school for a higher-paying job. After two years of technical school, I could no longer ignore my artistic truth in order to please my family’s desires. I made the hard choice to leave my parent’s house at the age of 18. No longer wanting to use my family name, I reinvented myself with the nickname “Ediordu”. Though this heavy decision created tension with my family and numerous uncertainties, I was able to begin the journey toward becoming my true self.
I knew I wanted to tattoo, draw, and produce. I also knew I would need to support myself in order to get there. Using my burning passion as fuel, I began to work as a bartender in order to support myself and eventually purchase my tattoo equipment. During this time, I developed dexterity that allowed me to make a living as a bartender and gave free tattoos to people and my friends for learning purposes. Shortly after my transition towards a new life, I encountered another obstacle in my path. After turning 21, I was required to do compulsory military service as a result of not pursuing higher education.
At the time I felt defeated, for it felt like another detour in my path. Yet, I now understand that this was the next chapter for me in my career as a tattoo artist. During this 17-month period, I found plenty of time to draw, practice, and plan for my future. I drew almost every day and got to meet people who would help me to continue honing my craft as a tattoo artist within service. A unique experience that was not only a bootcamp for my life but also a bootcamp for my art. When I completed my service, I returned as an improved and versed artist. From this moment on I started to get commissioned tattoos from people and gradually started to earn a living from my passion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve been through tough times. These include compulsory military service and sleeping on the street. Also, the difficulty can be different for everyone. Sleeping in the park was enjoyable 10 years ago, but now it is difficult.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My biggest sense of achievement within my career is that all my tattoos have come from my own imagination and background. By understanding what my clients want, I effortlessly combine what makes them happy with my imagination and style. In short, I look at my tattoos as a combination of wishes and imagination. I love when people get excited when I draw something they’ve never seen before. I’ve come to realize the hardest and most important thing is forging a unique identity. Originality is not given, it’s earned through one’s own experience. This is how I do all my tattoos and is a part of me. Although it took time and overcoming a series of obstacles, I know I’ve achieved success when people look at my tattoo and they know it’s an “Ediordu”.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I just moved to LA from Istanbul, Turkey and I a trying to build up my clientele. If you’re from LA & want a tattoo, or know anyone who wants a tattoo, please send the my way!
Contact Info:
- Website: erdemordu.com
- Instagram: ediordu
- SoundCloud: ediordu
