Located at 136 Johnston Street in the heart of Fitzroy, True Addiction Tattoo is a space where art, attitude, and craftsmanship collide. Designed and built by Colin Gower — a pioneer in Australian tattooing with more than 30 years of experience — the studio was conceived as something more than just a place to get tattooed.

From the moment you step through the door, you'll see why True Addiction stands apart. Neon blue and green lights highlight polished concrete floors, while walls are covered floor to ceiling in original artwork: traditional flash, oil paintings, contemporary pieces. A mounted BMX. Gilt baroque mirrors. The glass-walled piercing room signed in etched lettering at the back. The studio's layout feels open and creative, balancing gallery-style presentation with a warm, welcoming energy.

We pride ourselves on offering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone — first-timers and seasoned collectors alike.

And yes — we've even got a toilet made for royalty.

"Neon blue and green lights highlight polished concrete floors, while walls are covered in original artwork — from traditional flash to oil paintings and contemporary pieces."

Four things every client
can count on.

Safe & Inclusive
A welcoming environment for first-timers and seasoned collectors alike.
All Styles Covered
From small flash pieces to large-scale custom designs with precision and care.
Private Piercing Room
Dedicated space designed for comfort, privacy, and a calm experience.
Full Experience
Good music, relaxed conversation, and a creative team that loves what they do.

A gallery you can
get tattooed in.

True Addiction studio interior — mounted BMX, gallery wall, blue neon ceiling, glass-walled piercing room
Studio gallery wall of framed neon flash, oil paintings and gilt baroque mirror, blue neon strip
Artist drawing turquoise chalk lettering on the True Addiction shopfront, vertical TATTOO signage visible

Colin Gower —
30 years of craft.

Colin Gower, owner and lead artist of True Addiction Tattoo, at the studio shopfront

Colin Gower

Owner & Lead Artist · @colingowertattoo

Starting at the age of 15 years, tattooing has been Colin's life — becoming one of the pioneers of tattooing in Australia. Colin has been producing high quality art and tattoos for over three decades, and has always been at the forefront of artists spurring the industry to grow. Always keeping up with the trends and maintaining his skills for all the traditional styles, he has built a new level of love and respect for lettering and larger scale tattoos in both colour or black and grey. His love for the auto industry means he can never say no to portraits of trucks or cars. True Addiction Tattoo is his latest and greatest contribution as one of Melbourne's premier studios.

View @colingowertattoo on Instagram
30+ years producing high quality tattoos and fine art
Specialist in lettering, large-scale pieces, colour and black & grey
Pioneer of the Australian tattoo industry

Professional piercing
at True Addiction.

Our piercing studio is a dedicated, glass-walled private room at the rear of the studio — designed for comfort, privacy, and calm. True Addiction is currently growing its piercing team. For all piercing enquiries, bookings, and availability, call us on (03) 9078 0891 or check our latest updates on Instagram.

30+ years of experience
and professional standards.

Single-use needles
Pre-sterilised, single-use cartridge needles on every tattoo and piercing — no exceptions.
Expert aftercare guidance
Professional aftercare instructions so your tattoo or piercing heals exactly as it should.
30+ years of experience
Three decades of tattooing and piercing — the craft and the safety discipline to match.

Ready to start your next piece?

Book a free consultation — in-studio or via video call. Flat rate of $200/hr, any design, transparent estimate before we begin.