For this class, I researched tattooist and visual designer: Roxx.
I had quite the trip preparing this presentation. Roxx has a very niche style of tattooing. She creates abstract patterns enveloping different body parts, which faction more as decorative patterns that visual language of any kind. In that way, her style resembles tribalism which is something she often mentions when asked about her style. However it rubs me the wrong way that she is able to point this out whiteout giving any further details on which indigenous cultures or tribes she is borrowing inspiration from. It felt to me as if “tribalism” is being used as a buzzword.
She emphasizes that there separation between her being a tattooist and a visual artist, making it seem that whatever she does, it is above tattooing. She claims tattoos are just the medium for her visual artistry. She defends her work with elitism, claiming that her clients are often people who do not have any tattoos prior, and who belong to the highest classes of white collar workers. I think its interesting that she emphasizes the no tattoos prior thing, I think the point she is trying to make is that her clientele are separate from anyone else inclined to get tattoos. Her clients do not belong to the socially rejected demographics of tattoos, they would never get a tattoo! Unless of course, it were her sophisticated tribal patterns. . .