Mario Barth

The Artist

Twenty eight years ago in Western Europe, becoming a tattoo artist took determination and bravery, especially for Mario Barth. Growing up in Austria, where tattooing was not just frowned upon but completely illegal, he came up through the underground.

Riding motorcycles and hanging out with a rough bunch, he learned the secrets of the trade in the shadows, every piece of knowledge earned through blood, sweat, and courage.

Despite the many obstacles and dangers presented, Mario devoted himself to learning how to tattoo; no matter the risk. Little did he know that one day his work (28 years tattooing with 15 of them spent on the hard road) would become the center of his very own international enterprise.

The Accolades

With a celebrity clientele including Lenny Kravitz, Sylvester Stallone, Tommy Lee and Usher to name a few, Mario owns five tattoo studios including Mario Barth’s Starlight Tattoo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as well as his latest venture, King Ink at the Mirage.

Mario’s success among notable celebrities is matched only by his acceptance into the most elite of tattoo cultures around the world. Grand Master Horitoshi I, one of the most elite traditional Japanese tattooists in the world, granted Mario a full body suit tattoo, one of the highest honors any tattoo artist - especially from the West - could ever hope to achieve.

In addition to his priceless, Tebori-style tattoo from Grand Master Horitoshi, Mario Barth was chiefed into the sacred and honored Sulu Ape tattoo family of Samoa for all of his contributions to the tattoo industry, a designation few Westerners have ever received.

The combination of these rare honors from legendary tattoo cultures and Mario’s 200+ awards for his achievements as a tattoo artist set him apart as one of the most noteworthy tattoo artists in history.

The Future

Like most people that achieve great things with their work, Mario Barth’s presence in the tattoo community is unprecedented. This unique position has given him opportunities to create businesses that surpass the gold-standard of tattooing and entertainment.

King Ink at the Mirage opens in March 2010, and will bring new energy to the culture immediately. His work as an Intenze Artist is driving improvements with inks and creating more valuable tools for tattoo artists every day. Starlight Tattoo at the Mandalay Bay and its various studio locations continue to raise the bar for quality tattooing across the country.

Mario Barth aspires to take the tattoo culture and earn its respect from the same people who have spent years persecuting it; never backing down or taking “no” for an answer. He does this all in the name of ink.