Embracing female tattoo culture
Artist Victoria Selbach paints female nudes as they really are – as their bodies truly are in domestic, everyday settings. The women are just that – women, cast free of social projections and celebrity airbrushing.
The human presence stripped bare of pretense and accouterments is simply alive, revealing a deeply personal identity, present in the light of one unique moment.
Victoria Selbach
Quoted from her artistic statement
Images from Huffington Post
Bill Passman quit his job as a lawyer, sold all his possessions and got his first passport all at the age of 51. Having travelled to over 70 countries and all 7 continents he decided to document his journey with a tattoo.
I realized that if I was going to do that it would have to be a tattoo of the entire World including the specific countries. I also knew that I would like to color in each of the countries that I had travelled to.
Bill Passman
Read about his continuing adventures on his blog
Tattoo artist Little Swastika who tattoos from a private studio in Germany (you can only contact him via email), created the word ‘Love’ over four people’s backs.
He painted the design by hand onto the four backs before beginning the long process of tattooing. Little Swastika frequently tattoos large back pieces, with designs flowing down both arms and legs, to him the whole body is a canvas.
Somewhere in middle of Italy in a private living room. 4 people and a total of around 32 hours of tattooing over 4 days on two working spaces. This was in a way killing me, but in another way showing me what is possible. When I started a few years ago with my first double piece I was just dreaming of making a tattoo in a size like this. Without many compromises at all. Many thanks to all you 4 and to all other pieces who made me walk, more than once, over the borders of dreams and reality…..
Little Swastika
He has created tattoos over two people before but the love project is his biggest piece to date.
Creating art is my key to escape from our life in our reality. Tattooing for me is a piece of freedom.
Little Swastika
Images and quotes from Little Swastika’s Facebook
Dolly Donshey creates spectacular hats inspired by the macabre, and as her new collection is modelled by tattooed women, we had to talk to her!
You can see her latest collection on the Nolcha Fashion week catwalk in New York. Nolcha Fashion Week takes place this September and showcases independent fashion designers to a global audience. Over the past five years the award-winning event has established itself as a platform of discovery, promoting innovative fashion designers.
Tell us a little bit about your brand Monstruosité, how did it form and how has it evolved?
I learned the art of hat making in 2010 by studying under Jan Wutowski, alumni of the Melbourne School of Millinery in Australia. After I returned from my training, I started my independent millinery brand, House of Donshey. After discovering my brand aesthetic and bringing on new team members, I re-branded and that’s where Monstruosité was brought to life. Monstruosité means “monstrosity” French, and I thought that really captured the essence of my line. Every human has a monstrosity within their lives and a deep story to tell, so the name was perfect for the dark feel of our brand.
What is Nolcha fashion week and how did you become involved? Have you showcased your designs there before?
This is our first time showcasing at Nolcha and we couldn’t be more excited. We were drawn to Nolcha because of their reputation as a leading platform for independent designers.
On your site you explain that your collections tell a story, what is the story of your current collection?
Our Spring/Summer 15 collection is called “The Rise of Ostara.” Ostara, in the Pagan Religion, is the celebration of the Spring Equinox. Our collection is a journey from winter to spring that celebrates fertility and life. It is the “prettiest” collection we have ever done but also the most dramatic.
What draws you to tattoos?
I love tattoos because each one represents a part of someone’s history. Even if you got a tattoo one drunk night in Vegas, or you got a tattoo with your mother, both have importance and should be celebrated.
Why have you chosen to use tattooed models to wear your hats?
Since our brand deals so heavily with concepts and stories, tattoos are the perfect way to highlight this. When we shoot an editorial with a tattooed model, we are not only shooting the story of our work, but the model’s story silently on display as well.
Do you have any tattoos? Do they have specific meanings or are they purely aesthetic?
I have 6 tattoos, and they each have very important meaning. Most of them are in places no one can see like both upper thighs and my entire left side. I decided to place my tattoos in these obscure places because they were deeply personal and everyone’s favorite question when it comes to tattoos is, “Why did you get that?” I just hate having to explain my actions or my life story to total strangers.
To view Dolly’s stunning creations visit www.monstruosite.com
www.nolchafashionweek.com | facebook.com/nolcha | @nolchafashionwk #nolcha
Would you get a tattoo just for comedy value? Is your desired outcome roaring laughter or do you wish your tattoos to be art.
Colin Bonsall had the slogan comparethemeerkat.com tattooed across his stomach with the sole aim of making his granddaughter Bethany giggle.
We watch them together and Bethany thinks they’re hilarious.
Colin Bonsall, owner of the comparethemeerkat tattoo
Maybe I’m a mug but I find it funny. I’ll see how well this one goes down first though before I get another one.
Colin Bonsall, tattooed Granddad
I myself have a few comical tattoos, ones which signify my sense of humour as well as inside jokes but is having a more annoying than funny television advert a step too far?
My boyfriend and I got matching watermelon tattoos as a joke and a way to mark our five year anniversary. The tattoo makes our friends laugh and it also brings a smile to my face when I remember the story behind it.
Do you have the beholders of your tattoos in mind when you get inked or are your motives more selfish? Ultimately the question lies in what motivates you to get tattooed? How do you choose the subject of your tattoo?
Tattoos are another way for people to attempt to read someone’s personality. Should your sense of humour be on display without you opening your mouth and laughing
Images and quotes from www.mirror.co.uk
Watermelon tattoo by Sophie Adamson, The Projects, Plymouth.