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A promotional image for 'Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed'. On the left-hand side, a woman shows a tattoo on her thigh. On the right is the exhibition's name.

17 March 2017 – 7 January 2018


‘Tattooing is a magical, romantic, exciting and often-misunderstood art-form’. Dr Matt Lodder

Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed is a genuinely ground-breaking and comprehensive history of British tattooing, featuring cutting edge designers, leading academics and major private collectors. This is the largest gathering of real objects and original tattoo artwork ever assembled in the UK featuring over 400 original artworks, photographs and historic artefacts.

Challenging pre-conceptions and celebrating tattooing’s rich artistic heritage

The exhibition challenges long-standing myths and pre-conceptions about tattooing when it comes to class, gender and age, whilst at the same time celebrating the astonishingly rich artistic heritage of tattooing in the UK.

Image: Detail from rare Sailor Knight flash banner courtesy of Neil Hopkin-Thomas. Photo Paul Abbitt

Image: Detail from rare Sailor Knight flash banner courtesy of Neil Hopkin-Thomas. Photo by Paul Abbitt

Showcasing the work of major tattoo artists…

The exhibition showcases the work of major tattoo artists from George Burchett, via The Bristol Tattoo Club, to Alex Binnie and Lal Hardy

Private collection displays on show for the first time

The exhibition features items from three of the most important private collections of tattoo material in Britain, loaned by collectors Jimmie Skuse, Paul “Rambo” Ramsbottom and Willy Robinson, providing a rare opportunity to display original artwork and artefacts not otherwise on public display.

Hidden histories

The exhibition also delves into previously unseen private archives that reveal hidden histories, including the incredible real story of Britain’s pioneering female tattoo artist, Jessie Knight.

Wall of rare Tattoo flash, part of Tattoo British Tattoo Art Revealed at The National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth

Image: Wall of rare Tattoo flash. Photo by Paul Abbitt,

The 100 Hands

Tattoos are a living and uniquely three dimensional form of art. The museum responds to this by commissioning an innovative installation which literally brings the art off the gallery wall to create a ‘sculptural map’ of British tattoo art today. The ‘100 Hands’, curated by Alice Snape of ‘Things and Ink’ magazine, is based around one hundred silicone arms, each tattooed with an original design by 100 of the leading tattoo artists working across the UK.

Image: The 100 Hands installation features original designs by 100 of the top tattoo artists working in the UK today. Photo: Luke Abbitt

Image: The 100 Hands installation features original designs by 100 of the top tattoo artists working in the UK today. Photo by Luke Hayes

Contemporary art commissions on hyper realistic body sculptures

The exhibition also includes three major contemporary art commissions on hyper realistic body sculptures from three tattoo artists working in three very different tattoo traditions. Tihoti Faara Barff’s work celebrates the modern revival of Tahitian tattooing; Matt Houston’s commission is a heroic celebration of the sailor tattoo; and Aimée Cornwell, a second-generation artist and rising star in the tattoo world, illustrates how tattooing is breaking down different artistic boundaries with her own form of fantasia.

Image: Matt Houston's commission on hyperrealistic body part. Photo: Paul Abbitt

Image: Matt Houston’s commission on hyperrealistic body part. Photo by Paul Abbitt

The darker side

Other collaborators include Dr Gemma Angel, (Research Fellow, Cornell University and University College London) who provides an insight into the darker side of tattoo collections with a rare display of tattooing on preserved human skin from the Wellcome Collection’s medical skin collection, on loan to the Science Museum.


Exhibition partners:

Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed has been created with the support of many organisations and individuals.

Funders

Institutional Lenders

Partners

Curators

Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed has been curated for the National Maritime Museum Cornwall by Dr Matt Lodder, lecturer in Contemporary Art History and Director of American Studies at the University of Essex, supported by co-curators Stuart Slade and Derryth Ridge of National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

National Maritime
Museum Cornwall Trust
Discovery Quay
Falmouth Cornwall
TR11 3QY

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See our opening hours

Tel: +44(0)1326 313388
Email: enquiries@nmmc.co.uk

Book now

National Maritime Museum
Cornwall Trust
Discovery Quay
Falmouth
Cornwall
TR11 3QY

Tel: +44(0)1326 313388

Email: enquiries@nmmc.co.uk