the tattooed people
London 2020 o.bartolowicz@gmail.com
the tattooed people An exploration of the way we judge others by their tattoos.
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Typefaces used: Avara by Velvetyne Type Foundry Rats Get Fat by Out of Step Font Company
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As a person with visible tattoos, I’ve heard many comments on the images I chose to tattoo on my skin, some positive, others negative. Shannon Bell (1999) said that tattooed people will never properly be accepted into society, even on the wave of this trend for tattoos. She says there still are prejudices towards tattoos and pinpoints two different types of people: Tattooed people: those who have many, visible tattoos. These people are more prone to prejudices. People with tattoos: those who have a few small, hidden tattoos and are generally accepted in the society. I decided to explore this topic through a survey, posted online. I asked the participants how many tattoos they have, what was the most memorable thing they have heard about their ink and how did that made them feel. This is the outcome, and if you read closely - you will see that this division into two types of people may not always apply.
Bell, S. (1999) ‘Tattooed: A participant observer’s exploration of meaning’, Journal of American Culture, 22(2), pp. 53-58.
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This is also an exploration of tattoing as an artistic technique and experimentation with the tattoo stencil. The stencil is a base for the tattoo, and tattoos sometimes become the base of the first impression we make on people. The way the stencil distorts and blurs is reminiscent of how tattoos act under the skin over time. The tattoos have been done on fake “skin” each on a slab of silicone, designed for tattoo apprentices to practice on. They are among the first tattoos I’ve done.
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“You’ll poison yourself.” I felt sad cause it was my mom, but it was funny overall. What does tattooing mean to you? As an artist I view tattoing as adding pieces to your personal gallery. - Amy J. Travis, 5 tattoos
I heard that I ruined my body. It made me feel alienated and upset. What does tattooing mean to you? I can make my body feel like mine. - Alice, 21 tattoos
“Could have paid a house deposit with all of that.” I felt ike my dad has probably lost the plot! What does tattooing mean to you? It’s expression, just one of the things I do to feel good in my own body. - Jen, 10 tattoos
“People who get tattoos just enjoy pain, you can’t be a real professional and look like that.” That was insulting, demeaning.
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What does tattooing mean to you? A means of personal expression, taking personal ownership of my body. - Lee, 9 tattoos
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“Looks terrible.” It was about a particular one and it is honestly terrible. I agreed and found it funny. What does tattooing mean to you? It doesn’t have much significance to me, its just decoration or personal style. - Anonymous, 8 tattoos Someone once told me: “you’re going to regret those.” You hear it all the time from people, so I just brush it off. What does tattooing mean to you? Tattooing is a way to enhance your body, have a momento forever about something important to you, or just show off something that you like. But the thing to remember about tattoos, they don’t need to have a meaning. - Codie, 5 tattoos
“I’m so disappointed in you” It was an older male coworker who said it. I laughed What does tattooing mean to you? It’s a way to adorn my body and remember important times in my life - Theadora, 8 tattoos
“Was it worth it?”
I felt alright. What does tattooing mean to you? It’s a means of expression and decorating my shell. - Anonymous, 1 tattoo
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That it looks as if it belonged on my body. I felt complete. What does tattooing mean to you? Expression. Freedom. It means loving a piece of art so much that I wish for it to be a part of my skin for life, I am a gallery full of hope and beauty interpreted by multiple people. - Anonymous, 8 tattoos
They look like a sticker, they’re beautiful and suit me perfectly, they’re extremely well done and look great. That made me happy happy! What does tattoing mean to you? It’s a form of art and making my body look nice, there’s a lot of excitement and adrenaline involved as well. It gives me an option to express myself and make peace with my body. - Natalia, 6 tattoos
That they loved the style of writing in one of them. I felt pleased and happy. What does tattoing mean to you? It is a way of expressing things that are important to me on my body. A part of my personality that wouldn’t normally be visible. - Amy Page, 4 tattoos
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They’re beautiful and suit me. I felt great hearing that. What does tattoing mean to you? My tattoos tell the story of my life in each stage. They all hold meaning. - Summer, 20+ tattoos
“What a perfect way to remember someone.” It was about a particular tattoo and it felt amazing to hear that. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s a little escape for a few hours. - Anonymous, 9 tattoos
It took about 10 or so new tattoos on my skin before my dad finally admitted that he liked one! It was about my first color piece, a tribute to my late grandpa. It was a medium-size hip piece with pretty purples and pinks. It felt ecstatic! It was emotional and empowering too. I remember tearing up in private later, because I was so overjoyed.
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What does tattoing mean to you? Tattooing is one of the most important forms of art in my life. It’s a way to learn, to aspire, to grieve, and a way to express yourself internally and of course, externally. It’s imagery, it’s understanding, and it’s everything. - Gia, 15 tattoos
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“Your Dad would have loved it.” It was said about a memorial for my dad. That made me feel happy. What does tattoing mean to you? I think it is an addiction as I’ve not stopped since I had that one done, it is also an expression of yourself that people can see on the outside without knowing you. - Chris, lost count of the tattoos
I have a broken wishbone tattoo so I always get asked about what I’ve wished for, and people share memories they’ve had that involved the breaking of a wishbone. I always feel good because it makes for good conversation What does tattoing mean to you? It doesn’t mean anything in particular to me, just an expression of my feelings at the time in my life. I’m getting it or having someone’s cool artwork on me. - Sam, 4 tattoos
My fiance’s grandpa calls it my war paint. It made me happy, it sounded cool. What does tattoing mean to you? Expressing your individuality. - Darcy, 15 tattoos
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Tattoos don’t suit women. That was really offending to me. What does tattoing mean to you? I love it. It’s my therapy. - Jess, 10 tattoos
My parents told me that the only people who have tattoos are sailors and prostitutes. Disappointed, but also though it was kind of laughable that people still could view tattoos in such a old fashioned and kinda extreme way. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s a form of self expression, but it’s also not always that serious. I have some tattoos that mean so much to me, and in some way reflect the way I define myself. But I also have tattoos I came up with the day before and went to a drop in-appointment. I feel like it doesn’t have to be this super serious “this is deep and reflects me” just for you to get at tattoo of it, or to justify it to others. - Anonymous, 5 tattoos
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That I looked like lesbian because I have a ladies face tattooed on me. That was odd? I’m not a lesbian, but I don’t care if I look like one, whatever that means. What does tattoing mean to you? It means I pay someone to draw art on me? This is a weird question. - Emily, 4 tattoos I have a lot of tattoos and I’ve been grabbed many times by people wanting to know the stories behind them. Annoyed. I don’t like being touched by strangers and just because it’s on my body doesn’t give people the right to the meanings behind them. What does tattoing mean to you? It has no meaning, just a nice design from a tattoo artist I support - Anonymous, lost count after 30 tattoos
“Did they hurt?” I get asked it a lot, so my answer is like a retail worker on a checkout asking if you have a club card. What does tattoing mean to you? Improves my self opinion and confidence, I’m not happy about my body, so I decorate it. - Anonymous, over 50 tattoos
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“There are just so many that I can write a book about them.” and “They are so colorful and vibrant.” That felt amazing. What does tattoing mean to you? Tattooing is a form of speech. A way for someone to tell who they are and where they came from. - Anonymous, 60+ tattoos
A 60+ year old woman praising them and saying it makes her want one, also small children being fascinated and wanting to see them They’re usually about my Frankenstein portrait. It makes me feel proud and happy. What does tattoing mean to you? Self expression, carrying art (a large part of my life) with me wherever I go. - Jade, 11 tattoos
“You have chest tattoos, just walk straight and everyone will get out of the way.” It was about a mechanical heart and crown. I loved it.
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What does tattoing mean to you? Self expression, living my life the way I want to, and hopefully attracting interesting people. - Ian, 10 tattoos
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My grandparents cried at the piece I got for them with their signatures. It felt amazing. I wanted to make sure they both saw it before they passed. Don’t worry, at the time of writing this they are both still around. What does tattoing mean to you? I love it. Its an art form - Mazikeen, 6 tattoos
I had the chance to work with members the creative team behind the musical that one of my tattoos is based on (its a pretty niche reference too) and it was immediately recognized and celebrated by the people in the room. That was really great! I never expected to have the opportunity to be there in the first place, and it made me feel welcomed in the space. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s first and foremost a form of art - I view my tattoos as an art collection as much as a collection of the memories behind them, and some of my pieces are from an artist I sought out for no other reason than I liked their art. Its important to me that my tattoos are as much a representation of who i was when i got them as they are a partnership with the artist that’s creating them. - Mollie, 7 tattoos
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I am a behavioral therapist for kids with autism. one of my nonverbal kiddos who normally doesn’t like any kind of interactions (hugs, being spoken to, eye contact, etc.) will run their fingers along my arm tattoos and laugh. It’s the closest thing to communication that we have. I feel connected and understood. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s individuality, freedom, expression - Anonymous, 17 tattoos
“I love how you have a gentle reminder everyday that your uncle is with you.” It was about the tattoo on my chest for my uncle who passed back in 2016. I felt really warm and i don’t know what the right word is, but like... comforted. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s a way to describe who you are, what you’re passionate about, or whatever you want it to mean. It’s art that you get to choose that’s on you and I think that’s beautiful. - Anonymous, 9 tattoos
Random old lady in grocery store stopped me and told me how much she liked my left arm sleeve. It made me feel warm and fuzzy. What does tattoing mean to you? Freedom of expression. -Lynn, 6 tattoos 48
That they’re so vibrant and beautiful and compliment me very well. My very low self esteem perked up by a few points! What does tattoing mean to you? An act of self expression and being a bit different than most people. - Jannelee, 16 tattoos
I’m not sure the exact words, but for both of mine people have said they fit me really well. I know its not much but it definitely makes me really happy? I guess I’m just glad people encourage me expressing myself. What does tattoing mean to you? It is the most personal way to express oneself. It is such a beautiful thing. It’s not for anyone else, and there’s so many ways to celebrate individuality through them. I believe everyone is interesting if you can ask the right questions. I’m very awkward, so it’s not easy for me to just ask people about themselves, and tattoos definitely help make that a little bit easier. - Anonymous, 2 tattoos
My gran cried when she saw my tattoo of our favourite Scottish place Portpatrick. I was overwhelmed. What does tattoing mean to you? It means everything, a story I can tell, a memory visualised forever! - Katie, 11 tattoos 49
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“Why’d you get it if you won’t let me see it?” I felt violated. What does tattoing mean to you? Freedom of expression and being in control. - Sara, 8 tattoos
“NO NO don’t get me wrong, they look good on YOU... but I personally just wouldn’t do THAT.” Confused, like it was an unecessary comment that you wouldn’t say to a non tattooed person about something they were wearing. What does tattoing mean to you? Self expression and creativity. - Elsie, 5 tattoos
“You look like you’re trying to be cooler than you are. You’re not that cool.” That was really shitty, but also I tried not to take it to heart. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s like putting posters on your wall, being proud of the things you love and surrounding yourself with them constantly. - Aaron, 4 tattoos
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“I hope someone took a full body photo of you before you covered yourself in all of that stuff.” I felt indignant and annoyed! What does tattoing mean to you? It helped me move on from self harm - Cav, 50+ tattoos
“Damn girl youre inked up” That was ungodly uncomfortable. What does tattoing mean to you? A complete safe and relaxing place for at least 2 hours when all that matters is myself & the artist. - Anonymous, 13 tattoos
“I’ve always hated tattoos until i saw yours.” It was about my memorial tattoo, a backhanded compliment. What does tattoing mean to you? A piece of art or a memory you carry with you for the rest of your life. - Abby, 4 tattoos 56
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That they will affect my career (in the field of biology) in the future. That only people who aren’t educated have tattoos, and no self respected employer would willingly employ someone with them. That was about ones on my legs and head. I felt sorry for the person who said this, because for someone to judge me on artwork on my own body, and not on my talents or merits, then they (in my opinion) do not have a very open mind or much empathy or respect for others. What does tattoing mean to you? It is a way to display art on my body. I also like to have tattoos that represent special events of growth - Chloe, 12 tattoos
“...we honor them the best way we know how.” I felt in the general context that it was condescending, but I think the phrase itself was an attempt to be positive. What does tattoing mean to you? Tattooing to me is about self expression and freedom for the artist and the tattooed person. A tattoo can mean anything or nothing, it’s for the person who has it to determine. I can’t wait to get more! - Cherokee, 1 tattoo
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My mother says she hates my tattoos because she always wanted me to look beautiful in my wedding dress (as if the two are mutually exclusive). That is super annoying, because: a) it’s presumptuous that she thinks I’m going to get married at all and b) my tattoos help me feel ownership of a body that I hate. What does tattoing mean to you? It means reclaiming my body, turning into art instead of an object to be abused. - Maureen, 11 tattoos
“You are more intelligent than you look.” I felt annoyed and gutted. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s a way of remembering and marking significant events in my life, forever. - Rebekah, 19 tattoos
“I can’t believe you were able to find an office job with those.” It was particularly about my (almost complete) sleeve. I felt mildly annoyed, but not shocked. What does tattoing mean to you? It’s a way to express myself and become comfortable in my own body. - Peggy, 9 tattoos
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...what about you?
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All of the quotes have been sourced from the survey. 69
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the zine is also available online: https://issuu.com/ovroboros/docs/zine2_compressed