By: Theresa-Christine Etim
Misrepresentation and lack of acceptance is commonly all around us, and that can’t be more truer in the culture of Tattoo art.
A old and sacred art, Tattooing goes back centuries, beyond cultures and religions combined. However, audiences turned cold to that side of culture as civilizations grew with times, perspectives, and emerging invention and sciences.
As society emerged into a new era of technology influx in the 2000’s, however, attitudes started to shift towards a more accepting mindset around tattoos.
This can be attributed to the spread of tattoos and its art using new technologies like social media and internet. Another, and main, factor in accepting and commercializing tattoo culture is the popularization of reality television and tattoo shows based around it.
Shows like LA Ink, Ink Masters, and Black Ink Crew have open the door for tattoo enthusiasts to see someone like themselves on TV. These shows have furthered these opportunities as they birthed reality television personalities from the shows like LA Ink’s Kat Von D and Black Ink Crew’s Ceaser Emanuel (who created the latter’s franchise).
Not only have these personalities carved paths for other tattoo enthusiasts, but they also are the forerunners of massive brands from the shows’ popularity (the KVD Vegan Beauty brand and the wildly popular Black Ink Crew vh1 television brand). While controversy sometimes follows these household names, they are apart of the wave of mainstream acceptance with tattoo culture.
While the tattoo industry now remains to be a billion dollar industry in the united states alone, it does however, remain a niche market for mainly enthusiasts while matched with mainstream appeal and attention.
Everyone has a tattoo– or at least it seems like it. While most Americans have at least one tattoo (especially younger generations), everyday activity geared towards tattooing is mostly consumed by only those artists and enthusiasts.
That’s where the Tattoo Arts Festival comes in.
The Tattoo Arts Festival- hosted by Villain Arts- is a convention thrown yearly around the nation to gather tattoo artists, companies and enthusiasts of all kinds for tattoo-affiliated activities. These activities include magic shows, live tattooing by companies and tattooing competitions.
Each tattoo artist has the opportunity to compete with other artists on behalf of their shop or company to win trophies and cash prizes. The biggest prize of all?
Exposure.
While tattoo artists vie and collaborate/showcase to be seen, the convention-goers are doing the same, as they find a place that caters to their hobbies as enthusiasts. They also have the option to get a tattoo of their choice without setting or waiting for an appointment.
Tattoo culture remains to be a selective culture with mainstream acclaim and interest, it’s conventions and festivals are where true enthusiasts can come to feel free to express themselves in whatever way fits them without judgement.
It’s that specified opportunity of acceptance, individualism, representation that draws in tattoo crowds. No matter what floats your boat, the Tattoo Arts Festival has something everyone can like and enjoy openly. Below are a gallery of photos by the Tattoo Arts Show in Houston this year for visual enjoyment, teamed up with a video of Black Ink Crew star Trap Wright who discusses tattoo culture and representation (as well as the ends and outs of being in a major tattoo show and brand, among other things).
Enjoy!
