Tattoo Art

History

Polynesian word ta- to strike
something
Tahitian word tatau- to mark
-First tattoos were probably
created by accident
-Oldest: 5,000 year old mummy
in Europe
The tattooed right hand of a Chiribaya mummy
found near the port of Ilo in southern Peru. A.D.
900 to 1350.
History

Earliest tattoos- therapeutic
Egyptians- spread tattooing
worldwide
Small bronze tattooing implements (c. 1450
B.C.) from Gurob, Egypt
Polynesian Tattoos
Most intricate and skillful
Rank & Title
Tattoos could take weeks
to complete
Polynesian Tattoos
Examples
"Unknown Woman of Rotorua District, North Island. A
rare portrait of moko applied by grouped darning
needles around 1910 by tattoo artist Tame Poata. A
wonderful photograph of this Arawa lady, undoubtedly of
high rank.
New Zealand: Maori
Moko- face
tattoos
Use
woodcarving
skills
Mark of
distinction
A Mori Chief with tattoos (moko)
seen by Cook and his crew
Te Tuhi, Wiremu Patara chief of the Ngati Mahuta. Original postcard
entitled Maori Chief Patara Te Tuhi published by W. Beattie and Co.
Fine Arts Publishers Auckland, N.Z. circa 1910.
Tattoos in North America
Native Americans
Civil War- first tattoo shop
opened in NYC in 1846
1891- Samuel OReilly
invented first electric tattoo
machine
Frank Deburdg was tattooed by Samuel O'Reilly at his Bowery studio
Tattoo Styles
1. Fine Line black and grey

Originated in Chicano
communites of LA during
the 1970s
Single needle- fine lines
and smooth shading
Realistic
Topics often included
portraits, roses, memorial
pieces
Tattoo Styles
Tattoo Styles
2. Biomechanical
Meant to look like
ripped apart flesh with
mechanical parts
underneath
Terminator effect
Best on muscled parts
of the body (neck, legs,
arms)
Realistic
Tattoo Styles
Tattoo Styles
3. Asian inspired
Language characters,
koi fish, dragons,
cherry blossoms,
tigers, Geishas are all
popular choices
Intricate designs

Tattoo Styles
Tattoo Styles
4. Tribal
Comes from Native
American culture,
became very
popular in the
1990s.
Intricate line
designs
TRUE tribal tattoos
are considered rites
of passage and are
often done by hand
Tattoo Styles
Tattoo Styles
5. Old School/Sailor Style
Topics include Eagles,
pin-up girls, ships,
anchors, sparrows
Can include banners for
memorial tattoos
Sailor Jerry- Norman
Keith Collins
Specific color scheme
High CONTRAST
Heavy Outline
Tattoo Styles
Tattoo Stereotypes: Sailor
Cartoonish
May have told how many miles they
traveled, rank, etc.
Tattoo Stereotypes: Sailor
Below are but a few of the popular tattoos of a seaman's
life.

HOLD, on the knuckles of one hand and FAST, on the
other. This is said to help the seaman to better hold
the riggings.

A PIG, on the top of one foot and a ROOSTER, on the
other. This is said to protect the seaman from
drowning, because both of these barnyard animals
cannot swim so they would get the seaman quickly to
shore.

An ANCHOR showed the seaman had sailed the Atlantic
Ocean.

A FULL-RIGGED SHIP showed the seaman had sailed
around Cape Horn.

A DRAGON showed the seaman had served on a China
station.

A SHELLBACK TURTLE denotes a seaman who has
crossed the equator.

A GOLDEN DRAGON denotes a seaman who has crossed
the International Date Line.

PORT & STARBOARD ship lights were tattooed on the left
(port) and right (starboard) side of the body.

ROPE, tattooed around the wrist meant the seaman was a
deckhand.
Tattoo Stereotypes: Criminals
Prison tattoos
Gang tattoos
Tattoo Stereotypes: Circus
Completely tattooed people
Sideshows
Mrs. M. Stevens Wagner 1907
Tattoo Stereotypes: Circus
Tattooed Lady, 1902
Modern Tattoos
Became popular after WWII
Cosmetic tattoos
Modern Tattoos
Stigma
Criminals/prison/delinquints
Nazi regime- concentration
camps
A Nazi concentration camp identification tattoo
Modern Tattoos
1960s
Resurgence in tatooing- hippie culture
Stigma was lifted
Individuality
Modern Tattoos
Today- tattooing is more popular
than ever
Shows such as LA Ink make
tattooing fashionable
Modern Tattoos
Modern Tattoos
Modern Tattoos
Examples
Modern Tattoos
Examples
Dangers of Tattooing
Go to a REPUTABLE studio
with proper training and
certification
Tattoo artist should be wearing
gloves, and open everything in
front of you
Sterile work area
Use common sense!
Complications can include HIV,
Hepatitis, and infection if you
are not careful!

Tattoo Fillers
Fill in space
around main
subject so its
not floating
Give the
design unity

Example: Swirl Filler
Tattoo Fillers
Example: Floral filler
Example: Flames filler
Tattoo Fillers
Example: Water filler
Example: lines/patterns filler
Your Assignment
Come up with a symbolic tattoo design

REQUIREMENTS:
Must have a main picture or subject. Must represent
something about you/meaningful to you
Must fit in one of the 5 categories in some way
Supporting details- lines, design, etc. so picture is not
floating and flows well
Shading in colored pencil- fades out toward the edges
Crisp, clear design
Size must fit on an index card (minimum)