'Tats', 'Ink', 'Art', 'Work' and 'Pieces'

Different periods-different meanings

The ritual and practise of body tattoo-ing has transformed drastically (much as many other historic and traditional rituals) into a simplistic popular fashion statement. Human history records illustrate tattoos being used in many diverse cultures; namely as rites of passage, marks of status, rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures, marks of fertility, punishment, amulets, protection and as the marks of convicts.

Cook's arrival

SO, who brought on this fashionable practise to the British Isles? Well, British explorer James Cook was his name. He brought the practise back with him after an expedition to Tahiti in 1769. The Polynesians permanently tattooed themselves as protective and therapeutic symbols, but when the 'fashion' arrived in Europe it was adopted, primarily, by men in dangerous professions (gangsters and rebels-ooooh).


Fast forward to today and it's no surprise to see any girl or guy over the age of 18 with a tattoo inked across their backs, arms, wrists, thighs, ankles, necks or bottoms. It's well enough to assume you get a free tattoo with every purchase of skinny jeans....i must admit, i myself have got both; skinny jeans and tattoo.

I went in to my local Tat shop to do a little amateur filming and aside from capturing the shop's surroundings i found an 18 year old girl getting her first tattoo :). I also captured a little of the guy sitting next to her who looked like a right ink addict!