Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to say tattoos are art?

56 replies

CopperHandle · 13/10/2017 12:52

(I've copied and pasted this from Chat as I accidentally posted there Blush)

I've recently got a large(ish) tattoo on my forearm. I love it very much, drew it myself and it represents a lot of different things in my life.
My step-dad strongly dislikes tattoos and in a conversation about it, declared that it "wasn't real art" and proceeded to go on a lengthy rant about how much he hated tattoos.

I understand that many people don't like tattoos and that's totally fine, however I disagree about that it isn't art. There is plenty of art that I don't like, don't find beautiful but its still art.

In my mind, art is something that is man made that sparks discussion, thought or debate - which tattoos certainly do.

AIBU in thinking that tattoos are "real art"?

(FWIW I didn't really argue with my step dad and just let him rant, there was going to be no winning there)

OP posts:
ZaraW · 13/10/2017 15:06

I was in Thailand earlier in the year every other 20-30 year old seems to have sleeve tattoos most are mediocre and I wouldn't call them art. I did see one however that was extremely beautiful it was a lion and just amazing how much detail there was. She had it done by a very famous tatoo artist in Germany. Like all art beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

ZaphodBeeblerox · 13/10/2017 15:22

I will say though that the poor attitude towards tattoos isn't just limited to those who judge them. So many people who get tattoos don't seem to appreciate the work of a tattoo artist and don't want to spend a reasonable chunk of money on having a consultation, checking their work, and getting a high quality piece of work done. I don't fancy poorly-done tattoos and find it hard to respect anyone who got a tattoo while drunk in some holiday town!

ZuzuMyLittleGingersnap · 13/10/2017 18:59

For those more into geometric and surrealist art, there's some extraordinary tattoo work in these photos:

www.iheartberlin.de/2014/12/23/the-most-amazing-tattoo-artists-in-berlin/

Some of the more bizarre designs aren't my personal cup of tea (tentacle house with eyes, anyone?), but I'd be pretty happy with 2 or 3 of the others as framed wall art!

(Painted copies, obviously...am not macabre enough to want actual human skin originals. Ew).

user1492877024 · 13/10/2017 19:10

I would describe having a tattoo as being no different than 'self harm', but hey ho, that's just my opinion.

ZaphodBeeblerox · 13/10/2017 19:20

That's quite an extreme position user. If you're being pedantic yes it involves cutting into your skin, but you're either trivialising the extreme mental state that drives people to self-harm, or drawing an obnoxious parallel based on your personal dislike of tattoos.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/10/2017 19:22

Hate them with a passion. Truly ugly.

NatMatCat · 13/10/2017 19:44

Some tattoos are art.

Some, probably most, are copied from sample books. Copying is not art. It could be craftsmanship.

BaggypantsCrimplesnitch · 13/10/2017 19:52

@Copper, that really is rather beautiful.

I have several, all greyscale, and I consider all but one of them to be works of art. The one that isn't still has a great deal of significance for me.

The photo is of the one I think is the best example. A single session of nine hours in the chair because I had to travel a long way to the artist I wanted to do it, and I am still very happy with it six years on. As for what it will look like when I'm 80 - if I make it to that age - I would hope I would look like somebody who didn't worry what other people think.

to say tattoos are art?
whiteroseredrose · 13/10/2017 19:53

Where do you draw the line (forgive the pun)?

To me a tattoo is more graffiti than art. Is my doodle art? Is DD's paint splash or finger painting?

Sorry. IMO your tattoo is awful like someone has gone crazy with a biro. Hideous. And unfortunately permanent unlike a bad hair cut. Why would you do something so irreversible?

Bluelonerose · 13/10/2017 19:54

I love you tattoo op.

I have quite a collection of artwork on myself.
I will admit my first couple were "tribal picked off a bored" 15/20 years ago and I don't think they are art.
My last few however are imo so artistic. They were drawn up as I saw them with details you would even think and I'm in love with them all.

I think tattooing has changed though and so many people now are having their own designs it's completly different to how it was years ago.

MrsLettuce · 13/10/2017 20:05

NatMatCat, no. Tattoo Flash (the stuff in a book / on the wall) is an important and valid part of tattoo art history. It's maybe easier to understand if you compare it to music. An Orestesra playing Beethoven isn't 'copying'. The millionth blues singer Summertime isn't 'copying'. Both are valid renditions of known and loved works.

A heart with 'mum' or a classic Coleman peice is no different.

Tattoo art is folk art, in its basis. As such it's pretty much bound to be disparaged.

MrsLettuce · 13/10/2017 20:13

not art?

PrimalLass · 13/10/2017 20:25

Some are art. Some are horrid.

Rainbunny · 13/10/2017 20:33

Like all art it depends upon the eye of the beholder. I think some designs look absolutely beautiful. My hair stylist has a full sleeve and it's beautiful, delicate and makes her a living piece of art IMO. Another friend has a lovely tattoo - elvish script ("linguistically" correct insofar as she studied the Simarillion by JR Tolkien who created an entire language for his Lord of the Rings trilogy). I don't have any, not because I wouldn't like one but because I just can't think of an original idea :(

TheHeraldOfAndraste · 13/10/2017 20:35

Mine feels like art to me. But people have different tastes. I prefer blackwork with intricate freehand. Some people like bolder stuff with colour. They're all still art imo.

to say tattoos are art?
MrsHathaway · 13/10/2017 20:43

I wouldn't want one because of the permanence: I don't even use permanent hair dye, which grows out Grin

But absolutely tattoos can be art. Temporary tattoos can be art too (I like Tattly for ideas for events and parties, and I'm intrigued by the idea of getting a tattoo artist to do you a Sharpie version for an event.

I quite like the current trend for watercolour splash over stylised geometry (like this). I daresay it will date, but I think it's beautiful when well done.

Kraggle · 13/10/2017 21:31

Just because an image is transferred onto skin instead of a canvass doesn't make it any less art.

Catwithglasses · 13/10/2017 21:52

Like graffiti, I would count the majority of tattoos as art (if you consider the definition), just some of them are shit art.

KC225 · 13/10/2017 22:01

Less art, more graffiti

crwox · 13/10/2017 22:11

To me art is something creative and imaginative, so I would say tattoos are.
Some are crappy, but so are some high art pieces - we all see creativity and beauty differently.

Cantusethatname · 13/10/2017 22:33

I like the delicate black one, I really do.
But I like bare skin much much more.

ZylaB · 14/10/2017 08:54

@BaggypantsCrimplesnitch Is that an Inky Joe tattoo? 😍

Original poster
CopperHandle · 14/10/2017 12:03

As for what it will look like when I'm 80 - if I make it to that age - I would hope I would look like somebody who didn't worry what other people think.

Yes, very much this!

OP posts:
Tainbri · 14/10/2017 12:06

I personally would never want a tattoo and don't find them attractive but I do think they are art. Whilst not for me, some of them are incredible with the detail and skill that's gone into them.