Cory Ferguson was introduced to the world of tattoo at a young age through his father – “Harley”Charlie Duarte. A tattooist for over two decades Charlie is a legend in the City of Winnipeg Manitoba for being a pioneer of the industry back in the eighties, and being one of the cities first recognizable tattoo names. Combining the knowledge passed down from his father with an intense passion for the art, Cory has very quickly made an impression on the tattoo scene in Canada and all across the globe.

In 1993 Cory got his start by making tattoo needles, and occasionally working the counter at a popular Toronto shop owned by tattoo icon Crazy Ace Daniels, and began tattooing full time in may of 2000. He stayed with this company until May of 2004 when he left with his friend Lila Way to open their own shop Enlightened Art. The new shop is entirely custom work in an atmosphere that is relaxed and friendly and very unlike your average street shop.

In 2001 Cory began frequent trips to the U.K and Europe to do guest spots and the convention circuit, and it was there that he picked up the skills and techniques that he is known for all over the world today, including hand poking. Less than 2 years after he started tattooing, Cory landed a regular guest spot at Bugs’ prestigious shop Evil from the Needle in London. At this shop Cory worked with French Thomas who became a good friend, and Cory’s biggest artistic influence for Polynesian tribal and dot work. This groundbreaking fusion of styles, which Cory has now brought to North America, has become his main focus, as well as photo-realism (portraits).

Cory won his first award six months after he began tattooing, and since then has acquired dozens more from many different countries, in categories ranging from tribal to colour, most realistic, and “best of day”. His work has been published in virtually every major tattoo magazine, including some from as far away as Japan. Cory has been featured in full length articles, in such magazines as Tattoo Flash and Tattoo Revue (USA), Tatowier (Germany) and England’s Skin Deep magazine. Some notable tattoo figures wearing Cory’s art include the legendary queen of celtic tattooing Pat Fish, photographer Bill DeMichelle, and the Guinness Book of World records “most tattooed man in the world” Lucky Diamond Rich. In a 2005 Skin Deep readers poll Cory was voted one of the top 100 favourite tattoo artists.