Tattoo artist Wendy Pham is the face of The Identity Issue of Things&Ink. When Wendy first joined Twitter, she wanted to remain genderless in her online presence – she didn’t want to be recognised as an artist, just because she has ‘a vagina and boobs.’ (she tells us more about this in her open and honest interview in issue #7). So we created an androgynous cover shoot around this concept – strong, striking and unsexualised.
The issue is available to order from our website, thingsandink.com. And will also be available to purchase from our stand at Liverpool Tattoo Convention. And at the launch party of our exhibition on Thurs 22 May, join us on Facebook.
We are shocked and saddened by the news that the great surrealist and father of biomechanical art passed away yesterday at the age of 74: RIP, HR Giger. We at Things & Ink wish to offer our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and admirers.
Giger had a profound impact on the fine arts, pop culture, cinema, and tattoo culture. His brilliant mind and creative genius gave us creatures and settings featured in the Alien movie series (1979 – 1997), Species (1995), and most recently in Prometheus (2012), and the video game Dark Seed (1995). If you ever wish to immerse yourself in ‘Giger reality’ more deeply and vividly, go visit his museum and bar in the historic, medieval walled city of Gruyères, in Switzerland.
His biomechanical style, with its beautiful smokey textures and unsettling realism, has been a major tattoo style for over 30 years. Our writer, Kimberly Baltzer-Jaray, discussed this influence in Issue #4 (The Art Issue), in her article titled: Tattoo Styles. In the article you will find pictures and a short interview with the talented tattoo and airbrush artist, Rico Schinkel, a great Giger fan and friend. Be sure and check it out.
The one great assurance we have is that Giger will never be forgotten, lost or become obscure. His imaginings, his art, his creative gifts are very much woven into the fabric of the 21st century, and in the flesh of countless people.
From the origins of body art 3,000 years ago to contemporary artwork, a new Paris exhibition from HEY magazine and tattoo artist Tin-Tin charts the history and significance of tattoos throughout civilization.
The exhibition is curated by journalists Julien and Anne, and includes photographs, tools, skulls and pieces of tattooed human skin.
“Tattooing is part of the common heritage of most of humanity, we wanted to do this exhibition for a long time because we feel it’s important to show that tattooing has a real history and is a pure product of humanity. There’s not a place in the world where mankind has been that has not used tattooing … It’s both artisan and artistic. In the past there was a fear of tattoos and people would hide them. Today attitudes have changed. People used to do it because they wanted to identify themselves as different to make a statement, but today it’s become fashionable and the opposite holds true. People want to be different so they don’t want tattoos.” Julien.
The exhibition explores the art of tattooing from around the world and maps the tattoo revolution. From traditional styles and techniques to the more mainstream and trendy ideas of tattooing.
