Anna Felicity Friedman

This book explores the artistic nature of tattooing and celebrates its living, creative, changing essence. Alongside the omniscience of tattoing throughout the world for thousands of years, presented through rare artifacts, the book pays tribute to the pioneers of the modern era, those responsible for its great transformation into the mainstream. Tattooing has become one of the most dynamic artistic currents of our era and is ever-evolving, despite the great revolutions the art has undergone. This book looks to its foremost representatives, the tattoo artists themselves, the guardians of the temple. With this in mind, two types of contemporary workshop creations have been produced. The first one presents thirteen silicone models, thirteen ‘extracts’ of the body, prints modelled from actual people, used by tattoo artists in the exercise of their art, machine worked or using traditional tools, depending on their daily practice. In search of a mise en abyme, blank canvases were offered to other artists, in the classic application known as ‘body suit’. The artists featuring in the book are world recognized. All active continents are represented: Europe, America, Asia and Oceania. All practitioners are respected by their peers for their contribution to the art. Finally there is a series of photos presenting the two most recent currents in modern tattooing, a locker room of aesthetic graphics that firmly root tattooing in the third millennium.

A fascinating and deeply researched history of the art of tattoo, illustrated with hundreds of stunning artworks and photographs.In A History of Tattoo, scholar and tattoo historian Dr Anna Felicity Friedman celebrates the art, craft and culture of tattooing from its earliest origins through to the present day. Taking a unique, non-linear approach to exploring the artform, chapters are arranged by theme rather than chronologically or geographically, highlighting the similarities that have emerged organically in the myriad cultures of tattooing around the world.With sections on dozens of tattoo styles and genres, including religious, carceral, ancestral, rebellious and artistic, and examples that span both centuries and continents, you’ll find expert commentary on the people, practice and politics of the artform inside. Richly illustrated with hundreds of gorgeous photographs and artworks from some of the world’s premier tattoo artists, this is a beautiful and insightful introduction for anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the art of tattoo.

Lively and informative, The World Atlas of Tattoo is a superbly illustrated and compelling reference book that, through examining the meeting point between tattoo artists and their personal understanding of their environment, presents a well-informed and nuanced account of what has become a widespread art practice. Organized geographically, each section is introduced by a short historical overview of the types of tattooing traditionally practised in that area of the world, enabling the reader to trace historical threads in the careers of some of the profiled tattooers, as well as marvel at how other artists have managed to create novel forms of tattooing that transcend any previous context. The book also tracks the movement of styles from their indigenous settings to diasporic communities, where they have often been transformed into creative, multicultural, hybrid designs. Written by an international team of scholars, historians and journalists, this comprehensive atlas will enlighten and excite anyone who is passionate about tattoo art in its many forms worldwide.

"A grand tour of the world's great tattoos"--Atlas Obscura "This book--part global art historical tome, part coffee-table book of visual wonders--is a valuable corrective to many silly things that we assume about tattooing."--The New Republic A lavishly illustrated global exploration of the vast array of styles and most significant practitioners of tattoo from ancient times to today Tattoo art and practice has seen radical changes in the 21st century, as its popularity has exploded. An expanding number of tattoo artists have been mining the past for lost traditions and innovating with new technology. An enormous diversity of styles, genres, and techniques has emerged, ranging from geometric blackwork to vibrant, painterly styles, and from hand-tattooed works to machine-produced designs. With over 700 stunning color illustrations, this volume considers historical and contemporary tattoo practices in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Each section, dedicated to a specific geographic region, features fascinating text by tattoo experts that explores the history and traditions native to that area as well as current styles and trends. The World Atlas of Tattoo also tracks the movement of styles from their indigenous settings to diasporic communities, where they have often been transformed into creative, multicultural, hybrid designs. The work of 100 notable artists from around the globe is showcased in this definitive reference on a widespread and intriguing art practice.