Are Tattoos, Art?

There are many forms of art in today’s society, all ranging in a wide variety of intricacy and complexity. From performing arts, there is also interpretive arts and the classic hand molding and paint brush wielding type of art. Most art is easily distinguished, but there’s another form that has been bubbling to the surface for quite some time now and that art form is tattooing. Though many disagree that this is an actual art form, most often times, people determine tattooing as a “rite of passage,” for when a person turns 18 at the very least, but are tattoos, truly considered an art?

The trend of tattooing grew rapidly as a rebellious act in the early 80’s, however, tattooing actually dates back much further. The earliest record of tattoos was discovered back in 1991 on “the frozen remains of the Copper Age Iceman; scientists have named ‘Ötzi.’ His lower back, ankles, knees, and a foot were marked with a series of small lines, made by rubbing powdered charcoal into vertical cuts,” (Barbajosa, 2004). Despite the change in meaning or purpose for receiving a tattoo, it seems that there is sentimental value and the expression of self regardless of how times have changed. Five-thousand years ago, when the Ötzi’s tattoos were discovered, anthropologists perceived the meaning of his tattoos to be a symbol of accomplishment and an earned position in the community or even population. When a young adult turns 18, it’s a rite of passage to receive a tattoo, so the purpose is still there; however, having a purpose for a tattoo does not make it art.

Art by definition is “the expression or application of creative skill and imagination, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power,” (Hacker, 2011). In Cassa...

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...ting an emotional/spiritual connection and without the ability to preserve, or maintain value over time, the trend of tattooing cannot be considered real art.

Works Cited

Barbajosa, Cassandra. "Tattoo: Pigments of Imagination." National Geographic.

(2004): n. page. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. .

"Hacker." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2011.Web. 13 May 2014.

Jones, Jonathan . "Tattooing: Eye Catching- but are they art?." Guardian 23 September 2011, n. pag. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. .

Randall, Emily. "Tattooing Makes Transition From Cult to Fine Art." New York Times 08 May

2013, n. pag. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. .