Artification

History of Tattooists

While diving deeper into the topic of tattoos and piercings I found a very interesting article by Kosu from 2013 which offers an interesting view on how tattooist differ and how tattooing became an art.

 
First he explains that in the 1960’s tattoos were not considered as an art in the past since it had bad reputation in society. In the past, mainly people with a low income or imprisoned people had tattoos. Moreover, some governments in America were concerned about the effects of tattoos on health and even banned it to protect people from diseases. Tattooing was firstly considered as being only a craft, tattooing was only about body decoration and long lasting symbols. He further makes the distinction between first generation tattooists which were people from 1900-1950’s who became a tattoo artist by doing some internships or they simply learned it by doing. It was considered a low culture and not really connected to art. They just did it for a living there was also no media such as tattoo magazines or something that provided information about tattoos. However, afterwards the so called second generation tattooists which are people after the 1950’s with an academic degree in arts and who get professional training to become tattoo artists emerged.  They consider tattooing as an art with norms and standards. For example what I know from experience is that you have to make an appointment at tattoo shop to discuss with the artist what motive you want and where so he can draw it for you. Then you have to come back and get the tattoo and even pay a deposit before (in Canada and Germany). And you also have to fill out some forms about diseases and your health condition and everything so the artists are not to blame in case something will happen. However, Kosut argues that these people with a degree become tattoo artist due to the fact that the art market is full of artists right now. One comment by a tattoo artist is that tattooing offers artists a way to earn money and be creative. Also, they take the media as help to promote tattoo arts over magazines and conventions and internet pages.

 


 
After the second generation of tattoo artists, the academic people from university came, who were educated in arts. Hence, tattooing and tattoos also became ‘artificated’, meaning that the tattoo non-art is turned in a tattoo art.  Art students become tattoo artists because tattooing nowadays offers economic stability and success and it gives artists an empowerment and autonomy due to the fact that they can reject the art world. Now, the new tattoo aesthetic includes the creation of new design styles and a commitment to creating tattoo art.

 
So what do you think: Is Tattoo an art because art students suddenly turned it into art and before it was just craft. Or do you think Tattoos are always or never to be considered art?