Fuad and Shiddiq from Due Hatue are a cult duo with creations rooted in Indonesian culture. Known for their distinct tattoo design, both try to keep the tradition alive with a more modern approach through many mediums. We give them a visit at Due Hatue's new studio in Denpasar to meet the two minds to know what they have been doing and what they will do next while discovering how precious time is.
At a glance, Fuad and Shiddiq from Due Hatue are a splitting image of each other, but a closer look would say otherwise. While there is a common thread between the twins, their approach to creativity differs—from what they create to how they represent themselves
We got to know more about the two brothers after meeting them at Due Hatue's studio, a spacious warehouse where they pour their passion into all sorts of creations. It’s been about six months since they traded their house studio in the Canggu area for an industrial building in Kebo Iwa, Denpasar.
The studio was packed with artists, such as Kuro Neko and Louis, tattooing their clients, and studio staff who were either working or taking a break. In the middle of it all, Fuad and Shiddiq sits in two similar chairs with a blue table designed by them. We talk while the sound of a busy studio and people talking merged into an ambiance.
How did Due Hatue came to be?
Shiddiq: Dua Hatue means two man in the Dayak language. In 2018 we start tattooing as a duo…creating a studio in our house.
Fuad: It was a vision of the two of us, which has now become a brand. The others you see here in the studio are artisans who share our vision and create their work in our space, supporting Due Hatue.
You both use the words “borderless” and “revisit the tradition” as if it’s a campaign by Due Hatue, can you tell us more about that?
Fuad: Borderless means that we don’t want to limit anyone in the studio. They can be anything they want.
Shiddiq: We give them freedom, each individual can create anything they want regardless of what others may think.
Fuad: As for revisit the tradition, we see that everything and everyone is modern, Some kids even don’t care about Indonesian tradition. We don’t want our tradition to disappear.
Shiddiq: The internet is too fast, all of that outside information. Traditions can slowly disappear because of that.
Fuad: So we revisit the tradition through shapes and design, rooted in Indonesian tradition with a modern take. For intangible things, we demonstrate Indonesian politeness in our studio, such as simple acts like smiling.
What’s the main difference between when you first started Due Hatue in 2018 and the present day?
Fuad: The main difference is organizing. It used to be more laid back, because the studio is in our house…tattooing all night is not a problem because we are already in our house. But now, the new studio is an intense workplace where we should manage time well.
Shiddiq: Currently we are starting to do a monthly meeting and briefing. Today is actually the first meeting we’ve had since moving here for about six months ago.
Recently, Due Hatue created a popup in Jakarta and Bandung in February 2023. How was it?
Fuad: The event lasted two weeks, and there were 10 of us with five tattoo artists and five staff. It was fun and intense.
Shiddiq: Yeah, we had two months to prepare, and the last month we gave it our all to create the popup. During the popup, we worked nonstop in Jakarta, with no breaks. But in Bandung, it was more chill.
Fuad: We learned something along the way about teamwork because it was the first time we went outside Bali as a team. We also had no expectations; we just wanted things to go smoothly, with bookings for tattoos and whatnot.
Shiddiq: But for example, Jakarta is different from Bali. On weekday afternoons, there were no clients because they had to work first. But at night or on the weekends, there were many. Bandung is quieter, and the tattoo culture is also different. We mostly enjoyed our time relaxing there.
Aside from tattooing, did you showcase anything else at the popup?
Shiddiq: We actually wanted to exhibit all of our creations. We brought art, jewelry, and merchandise such as t-shirts and shirts.
You both are known as artists who are not limited to tattooing; you both explore other mediums. Can you tell us more about that?
Shiddiq: Yes. Before tattooing, Fuad even started out as a furniture designer.
Fuad: Yeah, I did that and also created some eyewear in Yogyakarta from 2016 to 2017. I felt underappreciated back then, or maybe I didn’t have the right connections. Afterwards, I focused on tattooing and developed my own visual character.
After a year, I dabbled in furniture design again in 2019. It was then that I realized that all of the available tattoo beds were actually massage beds. I thought to myself that if cafes could create their own furniture, why couldn’t I create a custom-made one for our tattoo studio?
When we started Due Hatue, we also cared about the way we communicated through media. I am into fashion and also did some photography. We mixed it and decided to create visuals for the tattoos we did, consistently, every day. Because of the content, people wanted to get tattoos from us more.
Shiddiq: We want to move into other mediums, but we can’t leave tattooing for now. The plan is to do tattoos only twice a week and eventually, maybe just once a week. We will also create a designated space in our studio to make furniture and eyewear.
Fuad: We have so many ideas but not enough action because our time is limited. We spend most of our time tattooing.
Why do you guys want to reduce your tattooing schedule? Are you tired of it?
Shiddiq: Well, no, but tattooing takes a lot of energy. For example, after a day of creating one tattoo on a person, there’s no more energy to do other things such as crafting. So we have to reduce the quota.
Sometimes it can be tiring, and we want to do other things. But again, for now, we can’t leave it. Maybe when we can leave it altogether, let’s say in two years, we can suddenly create tattoo bookings with our terms. For example, we only want to do tattoos but for the whole body.
Fuad: Yeah, it’s actually tiring. We definitely want to make more time to create other things. We also have to remember to make time to enjoy life. Being human, we need time for ourselves.
What do you guys do in your spare time?
Shiddiq: I spend time with my wife and daughter. We do simple things that make us happy, like finding something to eat and going to the beach.
Fuad: I go to Ubud to meet my girlfriend. She moves around but is currently in Ubud.
What are your favourite places in Bali?
Shiddiq: I like going to Kintamani or Bedugul. My wife’s family has a house there, and I enjoy the spacious and seemingly limitless nature. The beach near my house in Double Six is also nice.
Fuad: I also like Kintamani and Bedugul because it's cold.
What are your favourite places to eat?
Shiddiq: Mak Beng. But actually I don't favour it a lot, but when I go to Sanur, I eat there.
Fuad: Honestly, I don't have any favourites. I like to eat good food, but I don't pay attention to places and what to eat. I think about work all the time, haha.
Fuad and Shiddiq from DUE HATUE
written by Rama Indirawan
photos by Nova Kusuma