![Of ink and identity: How tattoos have gone beyond being body art in Bengaluru
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Of ink and identity: How tattoos have gone beyond being body art in Bengaluru Premium
The Hindu
Getting inked looks a little different these days, say tattoo artists as they throw light on how permanent body art can be both healing and a means of self-expression
Skin to a tattoo artist is what canvas is to a painter. Tattoo enthusiasts and artists talk about what getting inked means to them, the changes in the scene and the trends making headway today.
A tattoo artist since 2007, Suresh Machu says back then, tattoos were primarily used as a way to show affection for loved ones. “But in modern times, tattoos have become a form of self-expression towards art, and people get tattoos for various reasons, including commemorating important events, honoring their movie characters, expressing their identity, or simply for aesthetic reasons,” he explains.
Also read: Meet some of India’s indigenous tattoo artists fiercely protecting traditional designs
Case in point, adds Machu, is a recent client. “He wanted to prove his identity as someone who holds power and authority. We created a tattoo for him that combines an eagle and a lion, which represents his identity and he is proud to have it,” says Machu.
Furthermore, advancements in technology have greatly impacted the tattoo industry, he adds, explaining how more precise and efficient tattoo machines and ink formulations has allowed for greater creativity and intricacy in tattoo designs.
Also fostering creativity is the concept of flash tattoos. These are designs that are pre-prepared, meaning that customers don’t request a design of their choice. At the Puncutrewala Tattoo Festival in Social Indiranagar some months ago, all the artists present had a portfolio of flashes that showcased their flair and creativity.
“Each artist had a list of their own flashes, which once a customer selected and got on himself or herself, was crossed out from and not repeated again,” explains Sanskar Sawant, founder of the Puncturewala festival.
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