Inscribing the Body stated that the body was a canvas where culture and the individual is defined. So tattoos are a way of expressing yourself and telling your life story. I really liked the idea of “writing one’s autobiography on the surface of the body” through tattoos, piercings, and others modifications when they are voluntary. But at the same time these practices of body modifications through one’s culture or tradition still tells a story about a part of your life. Skin is cool and a little freaky if I think too hard about it.
Ideas regarding my topic:
- Medical tattoos are also very interesting as they are a growing industry that has evolved with the not only the tattoo industry but also the medical field.
- How does tattoo change how a person is perceived depending on age and gender?
- Maybe something about tattoo artists themselves or the evolution of tattoo styles
- Tattoo style that I am most interested in: Suminagashi tattoos
I am curious enough about ink wash technique and that style of tattoo already. I am interested to know how the art form of ink and water gets translated into a tattoo style. There isn’t much information on suminagashi as a tattooing style but I am interested in pursuing it as a topic of research.