2. History
Polynesian word “ta”- to strike
something
Tahitian word “tatau”- to mark
-First tattoos were probably
created by accident
-Oldest: 5,000 year old mummy
in Europe
The tattooed right hand of a Chiribaya mummy
found near the port of Ilo in southern Peru. A.D.
900 to 1350.
3. History
Earliest tattoos- therapeutic
Egyptians- spread tattooing
worldwide
Small bronze tattooing implements (c. 1450
B.C.) from Gurob, Egypt
4. Polynesian Tattoos
Most intricate and skillful
Rank & Title
Tattoos could take weeks
to complete
5. Polynesian Tattoos
Examples
"Unknown Woman of Rotorua District, North Island.” A
rare portrait of moko applied by “grouped” darning
needles around 1910 by tattoo artist Tame Poata. A
wonderful photograph of this Arawa lady, undoubtedly of
6. New Zealand: Maori
“Moko”- face
tattoos
Use
woodcarving
skills
Mark of
distinction
A Māori Chief with tattoos (moko)
seen by Cook and his crew
“Te Tuhi, Wiremu Patara chief of the Ngati Mahuta.” Original postcard
entitled “Maori Chief Patara Te Tuhi” published by W. Beattie and Co.
Fine Arts Publishers Auckland, N.Z. circa 1910.
7. Tattoos in North America
Native Americans
Civil War- first tattoo shop
opened in NYC in 1846
1891- Samuel O’Reilly
invented first electric tattoo
machineFrank Deburdg was tattooed by Samuel O'Reilly at his Bowery studio
8. Tattoo Styles
1. Fine Line black and grey
• Originated in Chicano
communites of LA during
the 1970’s
• Single needle- fine lines
and smooth shading
• Realistic
• Topics often included
portraits, roses, memorial
pieces
10. Tattoo Styles
2. Biomechanical
• Meant to look like
ripped apart flesh with
mechanical parts
underneath
• “Terminator” effect
• Best on muscled parts
of the body (neck, legs,
arms)
• Realistic
12. Tattoo Styles
3. Asian inspired
• Language characters,
koi fish, dragons,
cherry blossoms,
tigers, Geishas are all
popular choices
• Intricate designs
14. Tattoo Styles
4. Tribal
• Comes from Native
American culture,
became very
popular in the
1990’s.
• Intricate line
designs
• TRUE tribal tattoos
are considered rites
of passage and are
often done by ‘hand’
16. Tattoo Styles
5. Old School/Sailor Style
• Topics include Eagles,
pin-up girls, ships,
anchors, sparrows
• Can include banners for
memorial tattoos
• “Sailor Jerry”- Norman
Keith Collins
• Specific color scheme
• High CONTRAST
• Heavy Outline
19. Tattoo Stereotypes: Sailor
Below are but a few of the popular tattoos of a seaman's
life.
HOLD, on the knuckles of one hand and FAST, on the
other. This is said to help the seaman to better hold
the riggings.
A PIG, on the top of one foot and a ROOSTER, on the
other. This is said to protect the seaman from
drowning, because both of these barnyard animals
cannot swim so they would get the seaman quickly to
shore.
An ANCHOR showed the seaman had sailed the Atlantic
Ocean.
A FULL-RIGGED SHIP showed the seaman had sailed
around Cape Horn.
A DRAGON showed the seaman had served on a China
station.
A SHELLBACK TURTLE denotes a seaman who has
crossed the equator.
A GOLDEN DRAGON denotes a seaman who has crossed
the International Date Line.
PORT & STARBOARD ship lights were tattooed on the left
(port) and right (starboard) side of the body.
ROPE, tattooed around the wrist meant the seaman was a
deckhand.
31. Dangers of Tattooing
Go to a REPUTABLE studio
with proper training and
certification
Tattoo artist should be wearing
gloves, and open everything in
front of you
Sterile work area
Use common sense!
Complications can include HIV,
Hepatitis, and infection if you
are not careful!
32. Tattoo Fillers
Fill in space
around main
subject so it’s
not “floating”
Give the
design unity
Example: Swirl Filler
35. Your Assignment
Come up with a symbolic tattoo design
REQUIREMENTS:
Must have a main ‘picture’ or subject. Must represent
something about you/meaningful to you
Must fit in one of the 5 ‘categories’ in some way
Supporting details- lines, design, etc. so picture is not
‘floating’ and flows well
Shading in colored pencil- fades out toward the edges
Crisp, clear design
Size must fit on an index card (minimum)