The Tattoo Industry The tattoo industry is an often type cast field, in many instances it is thought of as a delinquent activity carried out in remote and filthy cesspools of social deviancy by large hairy burly men who cant get a "real" job due to past felonious activity. I hope to shoot this popular misconception full of holes. One will find through experience only that this is truly not the case, these are legitimate places of business, ran n accordance to all health ordinances by law abiding citizens. I have targeted a tattoo studio on Bessemer avenue, by the creative name of "Inkslingers." As a matter of fact I received three of five tattoos here by Kevin Spainhour who is also the subject of my interview. Judging by the parking lot, you would never suspect this place as being a successful propriety. The lot is ragged and broken with no more than half a dozen parking spaces, of those three are occupied by employees. As you approach the bright yellow sandstone building you cant help but admire the airbrushed artwork for a moment. The entrance is surrounded by tonguerings earrings dice and other assorted items. As you walk in the front door you find yourself standing in front of a glass jewelers case. This is the counter where you pay for your overpriced tattoos, jewelry or other items. The man behind the counter was a very friendly black man about six feet tall with a pierced eyebrow. He greets each visitor with a welcoming "hello." There is a partisian to the right that sections off the tattoo artist's offices. This is where they go to prepare the stencils for each tattoo. Past this room is a lounge with two bright red couches an... ... middle of paper ... ...f the great talent it takes to do what they do, and sometimes this can get to their heads. I think it is safe to say I have riddled the misconceptions of old with so many bullet holes that they no longer hold water. In the two hours I spent in the shop with Kevin Spainhour, and in my various other visits over the past two years I have yet to see that big bald biker guy with the beard to his knees that every thinks of when they think "tattoo artist." They are exactly what their name implies, artists, very skilled artists. They are not criminals, the shops are more sanitary than most doctors' offices, and the clients are not social retards looking for a way to blow their ill-gotten money. Tattoo is quick becoming a mainstream form of self-expression and I think it is only fair that it finally receives some recognition.
These tattoos are usually done by unlicensed artists, outside of parlors and are popular among young adults.
The topic of tattoos in America can most effectively be summarized into two pivotal moments in history: the cultural diffusion of the practice through European immigration in the 1800s, and its diffusion from one socioeconomic class into a widespread movement in the last fifteen years through various media outlets.
A small, tan, and octagon shaped building sits on the side of West Mills St. in the busy city of Liberty Missouri. This small building belongs to a man named Loco but, most will only it know it as Cherokee Rose Tattoo.If you look around at all the art hanging on their walls this small shop looks more like an art museum than a tattoo parlor; they always have fun and energetic music playing, intriguing decor is hung up all around their walls, and the artist fun and interesting personalities may intrigue you enough to learn many new things and ask questions..Cherokee Rose has a total of three artists, their names are Darron, Mikey, and Loco. These three amazingly talented artist will really come to show you how tattooing is one of the fastest
Tattooing is the art of marking the skin with indelible patterns, pictures, or legends by making pricks and inserting colored ink. The word itself has its origins in the South Pacific. The art had been referred to as pricking, scarring, or staining until explorer Captain James Cook encountered the indigenous peoples of Tahiti. (Wilkinson 6)
During the 1920’s through the 1950’s tattoo parlors were slowly starting to pop up in cities, mostly in alleyways and districts characterized by poverty and crime. Frequented by carnival workers, servicemen, criminals, social outcasts, and pseudo-tough guys, the tattoo parlor became a social club where individuals existing on the fringe of society would meet and swap stories of adventure, grandiosity, and bravado (Atkinson, 2003, p.36). In the period directly following the Second World War, tattooing took a step backward toward social disrepute. As social groups brandished tattoos to advertise their collective discontent with society, the practice became popular among members of the social underbelly (Atkinson, 2003, p.38). This era of the 1950 to 1970 is referred to as the rebel era. During this time people used tattoos as a sign of social protest and rebellion. They demonstrated their political disdain and contempt for their cultural surroundings through body art. The 1970’s to the 1990’s is considered the New Age Era, society was changing and so were its ideas. For instance, as a product of cultural consciousness-raising generated by racially, sexually, and gender-based political movements, the body became a popular billboard for ‘doing’ identity politics (Atkinson, 2003, p. 42). During this time tattooing moved from mostly the blue collar and criminals to include all types of people. Women especially start...
Tattoos have slowly then all at once became a subculture of its own. Although not everyone has them, everyone does know about them. -- “Tattoos have long been a hobby for some, it seems an interest in them may be broadening, Today 21% of U.S. adults report having a tattoo which is up from previous years” (Harris One In Five). With this statistic in mind we ask ourselves, what draws people to getting a tattoo? Is it to show rebellion, strength, or maybe even love? It could be those things but it could also be much more. I wanted to research tattoos because they are a piece of art that not everyone agrees with. After this paper is done I want people that have disagreed with tattoos to learn more and possibly change their opinion. Today more and
Symbolism and meaning is by far one of the most important aspects of the tattoo industry. “The abstract emotions and human awareness of emotions show what really is going on in ones life (Johnson)”. For that reason tattooing is a form of self-expression, and can stand for literal interpretations. For the most part these interpretations are the conveying of spiritual meaning, or marking milestones such as life or death” (Johnson). For those who think tattooing is just for looks or put a bad judgment on it, should also realize that ones personal interest reflects upon their lives. “Many individuals get their first tattoos during adolescence or young adulthood.”(Bravermark) Due to the mainstream culture, these traditions traditionally associate with stereotypes. Stereotypes defiantly have a huge impact on life. Which leads to the next point? Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or brought out on a whim, the tattoo has left a huge impact on generation after generation.
When comparing and contrasting these two articles, there are a variety of aspects to look at from typical conventions in the Social Sciences, to charts used to display the results of case studies. Both of the articles are Social Science articles on the topic of college students and tattoos. One article, “Inking and Thinking: Honors Students and Tattoos” is a Sociology piece because it focuses on the two large groups who have tattoos: honor students and non-honor students. The other article, “To Ink or Not to Ink: The Meaning of Tattoos Among College Students” places an emphasis on the reasoning behind why students have tattoos or why they do not. Because this article discusses both groups of people-those with and without tattoos as well as
Tattoos, Piercing and Body Art HomepageCollection of links, resources, articles, and information on tattoos and bodypiercing. Piercing aftercare...
Headhunters: The Philippine Tattoo Revival by Lars Krutak. N.p., n.d. 2007. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
Tattoos for males have been exclusive to groups of sailors, military, and unique communities, this method of branding was to bond males together and exclude females or those that are different. Society has accepted labelling females according to their tattoos. As described by Braunberger (2000), of the case in 1933 that turned in favor of the rapists, instead of the victim. The judge and jury blamed her for her tattoo on her leg arguing that her tattoo was a brand for free sexual experiences. The gap that society places between the two and the double standard will remain. I hope for a time in which that gap is closed and that double standard does not
Tattoo origins go far back in history, thousands of years and it has a deeper meaning than many of us know. The perception of the tattoo differs from generation to generation, culture and religion also plays a major role in the world of "body art". According to the Oxford dictionary the word tattoo means a “Mark (a part of the body) with an indelible design by inserting pigment (Inc) into punctures in the skin". The word Tattoo derived from the Polynesian, formerly it was called Tattoe which later became known as tattoo. The technique for making a tattoo was to take animal bone and spike it until it got sharp as a needle, then they dipped the sharp part in paint and then hammered into the skin with a small hummer made out of bone. Making a
In the society today, body art becomes popular where many surveys found more and more Americans now have tattoos and piercings. For instance, the result shows that one in four Americans between 18-50 years old have tattoos, which is 24% of the population. The number has raised 9% compared to 2003 (Tattoos now part of mainstream culture, 2006). Tattoos in modern history have been associated with criminals and gangs. Today, many people still believe in that relation, but in contrast tattoos are viewed as a type of art. Tattoos are not only a legitimate art form, they are positive expression of identity for many people.
Poor labor practices within the fashion also contribute to flaw of this industry. Some models agencies are scrutinized as having a “rapacious attitude towards vulnerable young models that lack professionalism”, NYtimes.com. Some New York modeling industries such as Elite, Next, Wilhelmina and Ford are accused of price-fixing scheme. They are cheating models out their commission, their weekly earnings. According to the Guardian, recently three models brought up a lawsuit against their agency, Next for allegedly withholding seven-hundred and fifty thousand from their earnings. Sara Ziff, a former Next model stated that she left the agency because of their “opaque bookkeeping” she was then later paid of the outstanding balance that the agency neglected to pay her because her lawyer threatened to take legal action.