Tattoos are a beautiful way to turn our bodies into canvases of art. We can express ourselves in big and small ways that have become socially acceptable as time passes. However, the nature of tattooing has evolved since its beginning as human beings grow more complex feelings around the idea of bodily autonomy. To celebrate the beauty of tattooing, let’s look at five books that follow historical and personal accounts of the art of tattooing.
Go Big or Go Home: Taking Risks in Life, Love, and Tattooing by Kat Von D
Kat Von D is a New York Times bestselling author and renowned celebrity tattoo artist who shares her journey and art illustrated in this book.
Through seven thematic essays, she writes on themes close to her heart, such as individuality, independence, creativity, and wisdom. She writes of her desires, successes, fears, and failures, giving readers an honest account of what it took her to get where she is. Von D provides sketches, handwriting, and photographs to go with stories from her own life and the lives of her clients. Her clientele ranges from your everyday worker to celebrities, as millions worldwide speak about her talent.
Bodies of Subversion: A Secret History of Women and Tattoo by Margot Mifflin
Chronicling the history of women tattooists and tattooed women, this book was the first to hold the history of women’s tattoo art during its release in 1997.
Having been revised and expanded upon, this book contains knowledge of the various events tattooed women have taken place. Covered with compelling anecdotes and clever analysis, Mifflin gives us an incredible account of what tattooing means for women. This reading contains one-of-a-kind photographs from the best tattooists in the game, including Britain’s first female tattooist, Jessie Knight, tattooed pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, and celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D. Women’s tattoo culture is shown in an authentic light that expresses the true beauty of what makes tattoos so powerful.
The World Atlas of Tattoo by Anna Felicity Friedman
Going into the diversity of genres, styles, and techniques used in the tattooing world, readers take an extensive dive into the progression of this art form from ancient times to the 21st century.
This volume goes around the world following tattoo practices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. With a dedication to each region and over 700 color illustrations from the work of over 100 notable artists, this book holds the greatest minds in tattooing for those ready to dive into its extensive culture. Readers look into native traditions and trends throughout regions, and as we track the transformation of the art form through generations. If you’ve been looking for a world tour of the most incredible tattoos, you’ve come to the right place.
Covered in Ink: Tattoos, Women and the Politics of the Body by Beverly Yuen Thompson
Through extensive interviews and insight, Thompson delves into the subculture of women with tattoos, from the hidden hearts on our wrists to the full sleeves that proudly defy the expectations set on women and their bodies.
From tattoo parlors and conventions to Miss Tattoo pageants, our author took the time to understand the artists and the women they ink to bring us a book that challenges the stigma around heavily tattooed women and empowers every tattoo on women’s bodies. This space for self-expression has created a community for women to share their mutual love for the art. Focusing on positive body image and the unseen world behind tattooing, Thompson has given readers a conversation on women’s bodily autonomy that is necessary to discuss when we pull back the curtain into the art world.
The Tattooed Lady: A History by Amelia Klem Osterud
During an era where women showing a bit of their bodies was scandalous, a group of carnival women showed us the guts it took to spawn a cultural movement that normalized the expression of tattooing.
Uncovering true stories, this book explores the lives of courageous women who covered their bodies in tattoos and traveled the world. Exploring themes in women’s culture, the sideshow realm, and the working class, Osterud gives an honest account of a group of women who have seemed to fade into history despite their revolutionary presence. With thorough research, tattoo origin, women’s history, countless tattoo photography, and circus lore, our author takes us on a one-of-a-kind experience into the lives and marketing of tattooed women.
Tattooing has an extensive history. The personality that goes into each one exposes us to the world as we contain visual artifacts of what makes our souls. Maybe these books hold your next tattoo inspiration, or perhaps they give you insight that makes you cherish your own pieces of artwork. As we remind ourselves of the meaning of tattooing, remember to thank those who have paved the way for our freedom of expression.
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Looking for book recommendations on womanhood? Check out our Thoughtprovoking Novels About Womanhood bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
