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Tattoo.. from Samoan word taut Long history – at least 5000 years, found on ice-‐age bodies Created by introducing coloured material into skin (ink, woad, soot) or sometimes on (eg henna) for permanent/semi permanent colouring Scarification is not technically tattooing but related and is seen particularly in cultures where dark skin makes tattoos less effective Examples from everywhere in the world – there is probably not a tattoo-‐free culture (although some where tats are not allowed) Can be
• deliberate • caused by injury • therapeutic • to label an
individual • to beautify • artistic genre • religious/mystical • for protection
Marking out Quick recognition of
• Criminality (Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, Chinese bandits) • Rank/status/marriage (north America) • Occupation (priest, gladiator, Japan) • Slavery (China) • Caste (Hindu) • Successful rite of passage (Samoa) • Outcast (Japan, china) • Membership of group/worship (Celts, middle east) • Bravery, battles and significant events (Maori, south America)) • Allegiance
Decorative tattooing seems to have spreads from Egypt , where mummified remains of priestesses show geometric patterns – had pyramid builders from Greece, Crete, Persia and Arabic who took practice back to their orb countries by 2000 BC then western Asian nomads took t to Japan – although there is evidence from there 1000 years earlier
In Japan widely adapted as a decorative art and lead to the classic Japanese tattoo – a full multicoloured body suit – written record of this by Chinese scholars in 297 ad Often disapproved of /forbidden by incoming authorities (conquerors like Cortez, Christian colonisers, sharpie law. Orthodox Jews)) Tattooing made popular in England and France by explorers bringing back tattooed Polynesians to exhibit in fairs, taken up by sailors, tattooists found in most British ports by mid 18c. mid 19c becoming fashionable amongst upper classes in the wake of prince of Wales’ Jerusalem cross on his arm. Later his sons were tattooed by Japanese master hori chiyo Increased popularity in the west since the invention of the electrical tattoo machine in 1882. Tattooed ladies popular side show at fairs. mid 20c began to be a mark of rebellion against middle class, hetero, white culture.
Then move from gang members, bikers to middle/upper classes and changes in iconography from badge-‐like premade designs to customised, larger tattoos known as ‘sleeves’. The number of tattooed women have recently overtaken the number of men. Often their tats are in secret places – for lovers eyes only! I have friends who have tattoos that their parents have never known about hidden on their back or big toe. Miffing says that women also use tattoos as a ‘bodily reclamation’ after surviving traumatic experiences such as breast cancer or abuse
Today’s Tattoos
Two American tattoo artists, Damon Conklin and Tom Yak list their most asked for designs.
1. Flowers
from tiny to spreading across several body parts – daisies, roses lotus flowers
2. Lettering
usually names and quotes
3. Symbols
Conklin: This could be as simple as an astrological sign or as abstract as an image that somehow represents a time or accomplishment in someone's life.
Yak: About 80 to 90 percent of what I do are personalized designs. That's what people want.
4. Religion
Conklin: Crosses, Jesus or a range of other gods, including depictions of events in sacred text.
5. Skulls
Conklin: Mostly human and other bone-‐related stuff.
6. Japanese designs
√
hugely influential – inspires elements of most tattoos these days – lettering, elemental forces, mythical beasts, wild animals, fi
Portrait
celebrities and loved ones – growing genre of realistic, customized images
8. Love
tradional hearts and flowers still popular
9. Birds
Conklin: Including mythological flyers like phoenixes and griffins. Flying is always a metaphor for rising above, excelling and emergence.
10. Wildlife lions to gold fish.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-‐places/tattoo_modern.html#ixzz2VGHfC3gp
^ Mifflin, Margot. Bodies of Subversion: A Secret History of Women and Tattoo. New York: Juno, 2001. Print.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tat_c_18-‐500.jpg http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-‐places/tattoo_modern.html?onsite_source=relatedarticles&onsite_medium=internallink&onsite_campaign=SmithMag&onsite_content=Today's%20Tattoos