2008 Woodie Awards
Express with Your Flesh
The pop culture of tattooing finds its way to campus
Natalie Shirkey
Issue date: 12/10/03 Section: Features
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The word "tattoo" comes from the Tahitian word "tatau," which was poetic for the sound the tattooing instrument makes.
According to the book Tattoo You by Steve Wind, "The first Western references to tattoos didn't come until 1771, when Captain Cook brought the word to Europe after seeing the art-form in Tahiti. Tattoos were associated with the lower class and criminal elements in Britain and America until the early 1900s when, drawn by a sense of freedom, decadence, and sexual liberation, upper classes began wearing them as well."
This means of expression has found its way in mainstream culture and on to Lakeland's campus with several of our students.
"I have a tattoo of a rose and my name on my back and a Chinese symbol on my ankle that represents basketball. Many people say that getting tattoos is addicting and I personally think it's true because I'm on the verge of getting another one." Freshman, Shaniece Taylor said.
Tattoos around campus include a Chinese symbol, barbed wire, and even a sun done on Junior Chris Smith, a double major in business education and computer science. The work was created by another student, Eric Rautmann, a freshman majoring in studio arts and graphic design.
"I've been an artist most of my life; I decided it would be interesting to have the art come to life on human flesh; I wasn't interested in becoming a tattoo artist until I actually experienced a tattoo for myself," Rautmann says.
Rautmann began his work as an apprentice in Iowa, which lasted two years, and he is currently in the midst of opening a tattoo parlor with another professional tattoo artist.
If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, Rautmann has some advice. First think seriously about the permanent factor of getting a tattoo. Then look at an artist's portfolio with tattoos on actual skin and original artwork. Rautmann says a good shop has professional flashbook designs. Make sure they are not a shop that adopts the slogan, "You pick it, we'll stick it."
According to the book Tattoo You by Steve Wind, "The first Western references to tattoos didn't come until 1771, when Captain Cook brought the word to Europe after seeing the art-form in Tahiti. Tattoos were associated with the lower class and criminal elements in Britain and America until the early 1900s when, drawn by a sense of freedom, decadence, and sexual liberation, upper classes began wearing them as well."
This means of expression has found its way in mainstream culture and on to Lakeland's campus with several of our students.
"I have a tattoo of a rose and my name on my back and a Chinese symbol on my ankle that represents basketball. Many people say that getting tattoos is addicting and I personally think it's true because I'm on the verge of getting another one." Freshman, Shaniece Taylor said.
Tattoos around campus include a Chinese symbol, barbed wire, and even a sun done on Junior Chris Smith, a double major in business education and computer science. The work was created by another student, Eric Rautmann, a freshman majoring in studio arts and graphic design.
"I've been an artist most of my life; I decided it would be interesting to have the art come to life on human flesh; I wasn't interested in becoming a tattoo artist until I actually experienced a tattoo for myself," Rautmann says.
Rautmann began his work as an apprentice in Iowa, which lasted two years, and he is currently in the midst of opening a tattoo parlor with another professional tattoo artist.
If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, Rautmann has some advice. First think seriously about the permanent factor of getting a tattoo. Then look at an artist's portfolio with tattoos on actual skin and original artwork. Rautmann says a good shop has professional flashbook designs. Make sure they are not a shop that adopts the slogan, "You pick it, we'll stick it."