Gatto Matto is Sardinia's first Tattoo Studio.
Gatto Matto was founded by the Brazilian artist Marco de Sousa Lima in 1986, becoming Sardinia's first tattoo studio. Fascinated by the beauty of the archipelago after a vacation in this land, Marco decided to create his first tattoo studio overseas. When in 1994 he decided to go back to Brazil, he left the studio to Stefania Missio and Gabriele Antelmi who are still the owners, with the cooperation of Mikele, Italian body piercer.
The studio is located in the historical center of the town, at No.96 in via Garibaldi, few steps away from square Umberto I.
Over the years, Gatto Matto sponsored many cultural events. In May 1997 in the City Hall presented the show “The Three Days of the Dolphin” where the artist Stefania Missio and the biologist Giuseppe Zolesi presented the history of the dolphin in various cultures and its curative properties in curing different diseases (Dolphin-Therapy).
The children of the local elementary school participated in the event contributing their drawings as well.
In collaboration with La Tana Association, Gatto Matto also promoted two important art book shows. The first one took place in June 2003 with the title piece “Wandering over the Sea”, and was exhibited before it travelled to the International Exhibition of the Book of Artist in Rome entitled “Wandering”. In September 2004 the second show, “Symbol”, was organized to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the current management. The latter work was also exhibited in October 2004 in the Galeria Formiguer, in Castellon de la Plana, Spain.
Gatto Matto Tattoo Studio is also organizer and sponsor of the exhibition of contemporary art named ARTincorpo “The Body is an Open Book” that took place in July 2006 with the cooperation of La Maddalena City Council, Archipelago of La Maddalena National Park, La Tana Association and Vediamoci Chiaro Association.