About

The name Ronny East bridges two beginnings:

his roots in the East and his creative rebirth on the East Coast of the United States.

Ronny is a multidisciplinary artist driven by a deep curiosity for creative expression across art, writing, animation, design, and tattooing. His journey began in 2000 in Seoul, South Korea, where he developed a strong foundation in visual storytelling at Hongik University School of Art. In 2011, he moved to New York City, continuing his studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he specialized in textile and surface design.

While building his career as a tattoo artist in New York, Ronny also worked as a graphic designer in the fashion industry, focusing on graphic t-shirt illustrations. This experience expanded his visual language and strengthened his ability to merge fine art with commercial design, influencing both his tattoo work and broader creative practice.

He obtained his New York City tattoo license in 2013 and spent the next decade refining his craft. In 2023, he opened a private studio in Brooklyn, cultivating a space for experimentation and community. In 2025, he relocated to Opelika, Alabama, seeking a quieter environment to focus more deeply on his artistic and technical pursuits.

Alongside his art practice, Ronny is currently studying Software Engineering with a minor in Animation at Arizona State University(online) on a full scholarship. His long-term vision extends into the intersection of art and technology—developing human-computer interaction (HCI) systems and XR environments, with a particular interest in immersive experiences for marine and deep-sea exploration.

Through Ronist, his creative studio, Ronny is building a platform where diverse forms of expression converge. He aims to collaborate with artists worldwide and lead projects that push the boundaries between physical and digital art. Whether through ink, canvas, or immersive technology, his work reflects an ongoing exploration of form, space, and human experience.