Life in Ink

Tattoo is one of the oldest, most personal art forms, blending bodily ornamentation with a deep-rooted expression of identity and community. From the traditions of Polynesia (our word “tattoo” deriving from the Samoan word Tatau) celebrating ancestry and life events, to symbols of gang affiliation or naval service, tattoos carry shared meanings and stories that are taken with a person for the rest of their lives. In the Circumpolar regions of North America, tattoos are a female rite of passage that marks important events in a woman’s life, such as the transition from girlhood to womanhood, or the birth of a child. Socially, tattoo art has undergone an incredible shift in the West, evolving from the countercultural taboo to a common form of self-expression you’d find on anyone you might know, be it punk biker or youth pastor. Many indigenous cultures are making efforts to destigmatize tattoos in colonized regions of the world, as in New Zealand, as a way for Māori to reclaim their cultural identity.

For Life in Ink, we invited artists to submit work that embodies the look, feel, and spirit of tattoo. Whether it’s a piece inspired by traditional tattoo aesthetics or a work that could translate directly onto the skin, we seek to showcase creations that celebrate tattoo art’s creativity, diversity, and depth. From the bold lines and iconic imagery of American Traditional and the intricate, cultural grey-scale West Coast Chicano styles, and even the rawness of “ignorant style”, we  display here art that honors tattoo as an art form, showcasing the technical skill, personal meaning, and stylistic variety that make tattoos compelling to so many.