Sailor tattoo’s

Exploration of sailors and cultural aspects that coincide. I’m thinking of incorporating these into my sketchbook work and mark making development. Could also be interesting to try printing, maybe incorporate detailing into textile samples.

“Sailing cultures tend to be rich in traditions. Over time, tattoos became one of the more popular traditions among mariners. Since their introduction, tattoos became a graphic language and a way for sailors to express themselves through body art, as well as a means of visually identifying with a broader social group. The purpose of sailor tattoos was also to record important events or experiences such as travels, achievements, naval hierarchy, rank, status, membership, and/or any other significant event in life.” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailor_tattoos

‘Sailors, at the constant mercy of the elements, often feel the need for religious images on their bodies to appease the angry powers that caused storms and drowning far from home.”— Tattoo Archive, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailor_tattoos

Three flash sheets by unknown artist, from the collection of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, SAFR-02563, via https://www.nps.gov/safr/blogs/sea-stories-on-the-skin-a-brief-consideration-of-maritime-tattoos.htm

Research

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