A mobile tattoo parlour has been touring Bristol, encouraging the public to document their tattoos with photographs and share their stories. The project “I Will Always Have You” will be featured in the city’s art and culture show and started in Knowle West in June 2014.
Arts producer Melissa Mean curated the exhibition in order to gather memories and stories behind tattoos to add to growing digital archives.
By exploring the power of personal narratives and the construction of character through body art, we hope to better understand the growing popularity of tattoos across the UK and the richness of Knowle West’s tattoo culture.
The exhibition will be on show at Knowle West Media Centre until Christmas. People can add their tattoos to the online archive.
The crowds at the opening night of the exhibition at Into You, London.
Some more information behind the exhibition: Identity means something different to us all, and it is something some of us can struggle with into our adult years. This collection of original artwork and photography explores the way our identities can be informed by the world around us and what we choose to do with our bodies. Each piece is the artist’s interpretation of the theme – no restrictions or limitations. The collection is varied, exciting and thought-provoking.
The exhibition also coincides with the launch of The Identity Issue – issue 7 of Things & Ink magazine – which explores identity within the medium of tattooing, with stunning editorial shoots and in-depth features.
The Identity exhibition is currently on show at Into You London until the first week of July.
The Identity exhibition features work from: Alex Binnie / Araceli 4ever / Axa Shireen / Goldilox
Delphine Noiztoy / Duncan X / Joao Bosco /
Matt (Oddboy) Barratt-Jones / Susanna Widmann / Wendy Pham
Ramon Maiden / James Woodford / Jack Newton / Tomas Tomas Adam Sage / Luke Garwood / Heather Shuker
The event was kindly sponsored by Sailor Jerry… thanks for the rum cocktails… xx
From the origins of body art 3,000 years ago to contemporary artwork, a new Paris exhibition from HEY magazine and tattoo artist Tin-Tin charts the history and significance of tattoos throughout civilization.
The exhibition is curated by journalists Julien and Anne, and includes photographs, tools, skulls and pieces of tattooed human skin.
“Tattooing is part of the common heritage of most of humanity, we wanted to do this exhibition for a long time because we feel it’s important to show that tattooing has a real history and is a pure product of humanity. There’s not a place in the world where mankind has been that has not used tattooing … It’s both artisan and artistic. In the past there was a fear of tattoos and people would hide them. Today attitudes have changed. People used to do it because they wanted to identify themselves as different to make a statement, but today it’s become fashionable and the opposite holds true. People want to be different so they don’t want tattoos.” Julien.
The exhibition explores the art of tattooing from around the world and maps the tattoo revolution. From traditional styles and techniques to the more mainstream and trendy ideas of tattooing.
