Dan Henk
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Dan Henk | |
|---|---|
 Henk as a zombie | |
| Born | December 11, 1972 |
| Occupations | Tattoo artist, writer, painter |
| Known for | Art, writing |
| Spouse | Monica Castillo (deceased) |
| Website | Danhenk.com |
Daniel Jonathan Henk (born December 11, 1972) is an American artist and writer, noted for his work in tattooing and painting. He has produced record-album covers, political cartoons, controversial articles, and a variety of other media.[1] Growing up a disaffected army brat, his early life revolved around a punk rock subculture that included bouts of homelessness and societal rejection.
His beginning career included drawing political cartoons for Madcap Magazine and Maximum Rock and Roll. In 1997, after a violent car crash and a knife fight with a crackhead that severed the tendon on his left thumb, he attended art school. He received commercial and gallery acclaim and moved to New York City. Immersing himself in the local hardcore scene, he produced artwork for the bands Shai Hulud, Indecision, Coalesce, Locked in a Vacancy, Beyond Reason, Zombie Apocalypse and various local venues.
Commercial success and tragedy
In 2000, he started tattooing, initially working on many musician friends. A year later, in September 2001, he was stricken with brain cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. During chemotherapy, he returned to his art projects with renewed fervor. Three months later, he married fellow tattoo artist Monica Castillo. After a brief venture down south, that included owning a short-lived tattoo shop, he returned to Manhattan and applied himself to art full-time. A productive period followed, with his work appearing in several tattoo magazines and more fine art-influenced outlets such as Aphrodesia and The Tarot Project. Tattoo-related books such as No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever, Tattoo Prodigies 1, Tattoo Prodigies 2, and Inside the Tattoo Circus: A Journey Through the Modern World of Tattoos also took notice and included features on the young artist.[2] Tragedy struck again in 2007, as his wife of 6 years, Monica Henk, was killed by an SUV while driving a motorcycle. Despite extensive coverage in the local media and vigorous campaigns by both the tattoo and motorcycle communities, the culprit was never found.
