Ink-credible People
Interview by Evie Stevenson.
Tattoo culture has evolved over the years, with a major shift from a once form of subcultural identity to now a personal identity. Tattoos similar to clothing are a way of expressing yourself and telling your story to the world. It is quite remarkable just how much tattoos are celebrated in society today. The days of judging and stereotyping people are almost behind us. Those with tattoos are sharing their tattoo process and individual viewpoint of having them.
As Jonny Depp once said: “My body is my journal and my tattoos are my story.” Humans now have the power to design and modify themselves, be it as simple as a hairstyle, or major plastic surgery to teeth whitening and braces. With regards to tattoos, people spend hours picking a design and finding the right artist, it is an expensive and permanent process, and one that should not be rushed into.
Many years ago, tattoos were not as expensive or executed to the same skill as they are today. Tattoos were once associated with being linked to specific subcultures for example the armed forces, Hells Angels, lower social classes and criminal groups. 79 year-old David Michael Stevenson from South Yorkshire, served in the army from 1957 to 1960. “We just thought it were novelty to have tattoos,” David pointed out. During his time serving he was placed in the far-east and had 8 tattoos completed. The army culture was to get a tattoo as a symbol of where you had served, including the Far-East, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. “It was the norm for all young lads, 18, 19, 20 year olds to have a tattoo. They thought it were masculine as such to have a tattoo.”
David said that even though some of his tattoos he now regrets, those he got whilst in service are a constant reminder of the stories, memories and experiences he had whilst serving in the army. Currently, that is how people are using tattoos, to form their personal identity and tell a story about themselves. There are many different reasons why people choose to get a tattoo, these are personal to the individual and not necessarily for the world to know.
In society today, tattoos are more celebrated than ever before, yet certain jobs continue to prejudice individuals for having tattoos and certain work environments follow a respectability code in regards to how their employees look. In a survey conducted by Developing People Globally in 2017, they found that inked individuals had a 64% chance of being discriminated against. So many companies are missing out on fresh creative young talent because they do not wish to hire someone who has been inked. Those born in the 80s and 90s have been found to have the most body ink at 42%, compared to 36% of people born in the 60s and 7% born before 1950, according to a survey conducted by Carole Nash in 2015.
20-year-old Architecture student Conor O’Kane is an example of a fresh, spirited and creative individual who possesses tattoos. Covering tattoos up may be the norm for some people in their job roles, yet Conor points out: “If I wasn’t being employed because of the sole reason that I have tattoos then I don’t think I would want to work for that employer.” Tattoos are merely part of Conor’s individual identity: “Whenever I’m choosing clothing I would wear whatever I feel like and covering up my tattoos never comes to mind.”
More commonly now, it is not always who you’d expect to possess a tattoo. 47-year-old Zita Healy has a beautiful and very intricate floral tattoo design that spreads across and up the bottom of her back. “For me they’re individual, they’re about me, they’re expressive, they tell a story for me” Zita points out. “I love the fact that people are surprised when they find out that I’ve got them. I don’t look like the kind of person to have them which is great, because that just shows you what the social norm isn’t.” Zita’s tattoo process came after a journey of self-discovery, the tattoos she has celebrate her individuality, funkiness and personality. “I hit an age where I very much came into myself and part of that was an expression of me.”
Dr Lee Barron, Principal Lecturer in the Department of Media and Communication Design at Northumbria University, observed there had been a clear shift between generations surrounding tattoo culture. “Once upon a time tattoos were quite a minority thing, and often would be located in specific subcultures … early 20th century to mid 20th century there tended to be a perception that tattoos were deviant practices and signs of deviancy.” Tattoos were often linked to lower social classes and were known as ‘the working class jewellery’. “Tattoos would be a symbol of resistance and rebellion to mainstream culture, they were quite an extreme form of permanent body modification.”
Popularity of tattoos has definitely increased over the years, thanks to celebrities such as Ruby Rose, Jonny Depp, Justin Bieber and David Beckham. Celebrity muses such as Kanye West’s new it girl Amina Blue, was a real break-through model with tattoos, debuting his new clothing line at New York Fashion Week and she is currently fronting Pretty Little Thing. In terms of the fashion industry, tattoos and fashion go hand in hand, they tell a story. They are both a form of someone’s identity in a world where expression and individualism are present, regardless of class and social status.
The fashion industry and the creative realm are considerably the most tattoo accepting; however, there is still the negative stigma of having tattoos in today’s society. Mockery shows such as Tattoo Fixers and Just Tattoo of Us, reinforce to society how people get tattoos for stupid reasons. This is only the minority, when in fact the majority of people would never rush into getting a tattoo, it’s part of your identity and deserves endless consideration.
It is so inspiring to see people celebrating their identity through their tattoos, as a form of expression. 2018 brings a new year of celebrations and events, including embracing individuality and diversity at NYFW and London Fashion Week Festival in February. Let’s see if 2018 brings further prominence for tattoo culture and personal expression.