This past Friday, I stopped by the Tattoo Parlor “Pain Ink” in Jackson Heights to get an additional tattoo. It was not planned at all though I was pondering the question whether or not to get another one for many months. It was a joking response I gave to my vexing boyfriend whenever he asked me what I wanted for Valentine’s Day. “Pay for my next tattoo! Seriously, that’s all I want,” I said, and a bouquet of roses and a tattoo is what I got. My mother nearly beheaded me when she saw my first one and I had to ask myself if it was worth the trouble I’d get into with my mother. At the moment I was indifferent to her future reaction and did not back down from my plan. Inside the tiny tattoo parlor were two other artists working on their paying subjects. I patiently waited as Rolo, my artist, finished up on his previous customer and in the mean time I did some last minute Google image searches on feminine spine tattoos. That’s when I saw a beautiful tattoo of some quote or lettering going down a woman’s back with flowers around it. My description may be vague but it was the most beautiful thing that captured my eyes. I immediately fell in love with the image and told Rolo that this is my tattoo. A few variations, sketches, and previews after, I got set in a small wobbly chair and the painful process began.
I expected a terrible piercing pain but relaxed when it was only a dulled annoying vibrating sensation. I did not get much time to relax because the pain quickly accelerated as Rolo traced the outline on the sides of my back. I couldn’t bear to look at my phone or hold a conversation to distract myself; I could only control my breathing and hold my breath whenever the needle touched my skin. My company consisted of another lady getting a tattoo on her forearm and a small man getting piano keys tattooed on his bicep. I don’t know how long the entire process was but by the time I was finished I was drenched in sweat, ink, and some blood and was mixed with emotions of anger, relief, and joy.
Tattoos are becoming more and more accepted into our culture, especially in urban and diverse cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami, as well as different countries overseas. Tattooing has served different functions culturally as far back in time as 3300 BC and still commonly operates as a cultural practice throughout the world today. Practices such as henna, semi-permanent tattoos from natural plant extract, are used to decorate brides in Hindu religions.
Tattoos are intricate snapshots of our pasts and for majority of people it’s a form of expression. They are permanent markings on our bodies that help us evolve and form new identities as time progresses. But are tattoos art? There is three-dimensional art like sculptures and two- dimensional art such as paintings. But are drawings on flesh considered “art”? Most would say no since it’s not a traditional form of art and generally unaccepted by society, but what constitutes art?
Tattoo of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man”
Tattoos can differ from small symbols such as hearts, anchors, birds, and one-word text to intricate detailed pieces of various scenes, bodies covered in colorful flowers, animals, texts and portraits. You cannot walk down the street without seeing an individual with one tattoo on his skin.
As for me, my collection will grow over time but I must wait until I move out of the house. It will never expand to the point I wishfully imagine for discrimination and judgment will always exist in the workforce. And I am sure that not many people would like to see a bank teller hand them their money with hands covered in skulls, stars, and flowers.
How about you guys? Do you have any tattoos? What is your story behind it?
