University Research

 
Tattoo Temple was recently interviewed as part of a university study into body art, contemporary acceptance and the classification or delineation between 'tattoos' and 'tattoo art'. The following are some of the broader questions posed that we believed many may have a wider interest in considering;

 
Which attributes of tattoos do you think would contribute to tattoos being viewed as an art?
The concept of tattoo art, for us, is defined as genuine artistic quality given to the work by professional artists. These are broadly speaking original compositions, created in the artists' signature aesthetic or technique and used for the one client
 
It is common practice for the concept to be misused by any 'tattooist' that is able to copy or slightly modify a composition, then calling it art. Just as all tattooing is not an underground or alternative practice, not all tattoos can be considered artwork. The same question could be posed for any artistic medium in so far as would people label anyone who can hold a brush and mark a canvas a master painter?
 
Will social stigma of tattoo remain and why?
To some extent, I believe that it will remain. When discussing any type of body modification there will always be those who agree / appreciate the practice and others who abstain and or look down on it. Again comparisons to ear piercings, plastic surgery or any alteration to one’s appearance could be made
 
There is an ongoing increase in acceptance of tattooing as a legitimate or mainstream form of body modification yet as reflected in professional workplace standards to often keep such pieces hidden, societal viewpoints have a long way to go before tattooing in general does not affect or influence subjective perceptions or indeed prejudices towards the wearer
 
What plays the most important role in tattoo styles diverging, what are your influences and inspirations?
Again this would bear more on the artists themselves. The majority of studios or 'tattooists' will have an eclectic variety of designs, styles or templates that they will choose from. The diverging styles within the standard tattoo shop or 'tattooist' category are reflections of title classifications of the work they are using, e.g. tribal, old school, new school, etc. as opposed to a unique skill set. A genuine divergence in styles possible in tattooing calls into question how one would label any artists' actual work and whether this falls within specific schools
 
As each composition is created for the one client we have a range of inspirations for each project. Inspirations for any given composition can extend from a single poem to gigabytes of photos, paintings, drawings, sketches, artwork, etc. In regards to influence of our artists' styles each were experienced in classical fields such as painting or graphic design before undergoing the training program here at the studio. Joey Pang, the studio's Art Director and master to all apprentices, is the worlds' only from Chinese calligraphy as well as for a number of Asian painting aesthetics. I suppose watercolor, brush work, fine detail and painting could offer some broad terms for her areas of expertise
 
How do you distinguish if one tattoo is artwork or if it is just a tattoo? Or it can't be distinguished just by looking at it?
This is a two part question. Firstly, if you are attempting to define art then this is a highly tricky undertaking. Everyone will have their own subjective rationale and to paraphrase a famous quotation; 'When it comes to matters of opinion, debate is futile. There is no accounting for taste'. So for the first part what designs or styles are considered 'art' is not something that has a straightforward response. This equally extends to the wearer's perception. The second part of that question is easier to answer; what is tattoo art. Tattoo art could be partially defined as a composition that is a) unique b) expertly tailored to the body c) displays significantly advanced technical abilities and or the artists' established aesthetic(s). There may be other portions to extend on this answer or account for however these three points instantly separate tattoo flash (a design that has been done before, not tailored to the body as it follows a pre-fabricated layout and can be duplicated by essentially any tattooist), from tattoo art
 
Is there a trend in tattoo designs for the next ten years? If so, what do you think it will be?
Larger compositions. People beginning to consider their body as one canvas. We are currently working with a select number of clients in the development of full body pieces, meaning their artwork will be one cohesive design that extends from their upper body down to their feet
 
Do you think an influence of a trend is what has labelled tattooing a form of art? If so, how would tattooing progress with the foreseen trend in designs?
By definition if someone is following a trend they are most likely not concerned with genuine art. Art conveys emotions, insights, inspires, is not subject to any specific time and or shares the unique vision of the artist. Most likely all trends, similar to cycles in fashion, do not imply the same level of quality and lasting impact as genuine forms of artwork
 
A tattooed piece of art can only be called artwork if meeting the outlined three point criteria, regardless of the more widely held societal views on the practice of tattooing itself. The move towards larger compositions and considering the entire body as a single canvas is simply allowing artists more 'canvas' for their creations. Whilst there may be an increasing preference towards larger pieces the choices and results of the work itself vary so greatly I would remove this from any 'trend' categorization
 
From an article on Tattoo Temple, it was mentioned that tattoos remain stigmatized because of the misconception that it is associated with triads. Could it be interpreted that people do not recognize tattooing as a form of art in Hong Kong because of this function of tattooing?
Tattoos still serve a variety of functions from group membership to other displays or communications. Being publicly displayed images you're now moving into the broader field of semiotics though. Tattoos can still contain connotations with criminal elements or sub-cultures yet this does not affect tattoos being able to be used as a genuine art from - following the classical definition of the term 'art form' alluding here to say sculpture, canvas painting, etc. A person’s belief in what 'tattoos' signify and or their knowledge of the multiple differentiation's is what will determine the continuation or cessation of any stigma
 
Does the design of a tattoo influence people's acceptance of tattooing as an art? If it is really the innovative, and different approach, has that changed people's perception or is it solely because of the changing intention of clients who want the tattoo?
Tattooing can be labelled as a practice. It may be used for art or any other purpose so decided by the commissioning client with the tattooists’ participation. There would be huge confusion if attempting to define an entire practice through a narrow, culturally specific adoption or acceptance. If more people understand that there is a differentiation between tattoos and tattoo art then the latter group would understandably be more open to collecting tattoo art or appreciate those who choose to do so. This does not mean that people who still choose to get a tattoo for say sub-culture membership would abstain from this nor does it mean people who still associate tattoos with sub-culture association would be wrong in doing so, in specific cases of course. Could you discuss the merits of say a game like football / soccer based solely on a specific society's acceptance and understanding of the game? No. You would need to analyze the practice in and of itself with public perception being a secondary consideration that has essentially no bearing on the realities and structure of the undertaking itself. Questioning specific adoption or implementation does not bear on wider, pre-existing capabilities of use
 
If tattoo designs are only influenced by both the artists and clients intentions, which in my understanding is leaning more towards self expression nowadays hence causing tattoos to be recognized as an art, would that mean "gangster tattoos" of dragons and tigers would not be art?
No. Because by this logic you are classifying all established iconography as 'not being art'. Additionally would not these tattoos be a very clear statement of 'self-expression'? Consider the traditional dragon and phoenix drawings in a Chinese restaurant. Are these what everyone would classify as the best examples of dragons that could be done? Absolutely not. Could they be called art? Yes. They have a long history and came from a different time period yet still carry significant meaning and are used to convey a range of beliefs / concepts / invoke emotions. Again if you are attempting to define 'art' in general then the only overarching principle for the practice is one that often has limited 'practical' purpose. Commonly there for decoration / enhancement / meaning conveyance, etc. Meaning you cannot eat a painting, it does not help people complete more work, provide shelter, etc. Yet it seems to form a necessary foundation of every culture. So if defining art as decorative then this covers every kind of tattoo, which would not hold as this only addresses half of the question (the subject not the execution). In the case of sub-culture tattoos the symbols and iconography have strong cultural value in and of themselves yet to be considered tattoo art, as they are applied to the body, I would again defer to the three criteria already outlined. You can have highly artistic and meaningful subject matter and it may still remain badly tattooed
 
There is a differentiation in tattooing here between the focal point or subject matter and the skills of the one applying it. Tattoo art is the expression of an actual artist, not someone with technical abilities to trace an existing design without further consideration. Tattooing is then, unlike painting, adding an additional step to the process. It is not only creating the picture itself but doing so in consideration of and in tandem with the human form - accounting for the physiology, skin depth and application intricacies, healed results, etc. The measured, expert interplay of the two is what could be labelled as tattoo art. Or as we say here; Unique | Living | Art
 

Tattoo Temple - Joey Pang