Tattooing has a reputation for being an alternative or underground genre of art, but in fact it has been an integral part of our culture for well over a century. The earliest examples of tattoos can be traced back to ancient civilizations and indigenous people from almost every era and region of the world.

Soldiers and sailors who travelled extensively brought the concept of tattooing to the attention of the Western world during the latter half of the 19th century. By the mid twentieth century, improved techniques and a range of tattoo machines for sale meant that tattoos became more popular and mainstream. 

The invention of tattoo machines and better quality inks also allowed for more artistic freedom, and the line between traditional art forms and body art became thinner. The tattoo industry began to attract creative practitioners who had previously trained as fine artists, and they applied the more formal principles of art and design to their body art.

Today, tattoos are completely mainstream: it’s estimated that about one in five adults in Britain has a tattoo. The styles of tattoos have also never been more diverse, from small minimalist designs to inks that glow in the dark.

The design historian Dr Matt Lodder explains that some people even have their favourite paintings tattooed on their skin, with prints by the Japanese artist Hokusai (of The Great Wave fame) being a popular choice. Traditional Japanese woodblock print art has heavily influenced tattoo styles, and there is even a name for the genre: Irezumi.

As tattooing techniques have become more refined, body artists have been influenced by the ‘chiroscuro’ techniques favoured by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Caravaggio. This involves creating a deliberately high contrast between light and dark areas of an image to evoke a sense of drama and heighten realism. 

Modern and abstract art movements such as Surrealism, Cubism, and Expressionism have also influenced tattoo designs. For example, tattoos have evolved in recent decades from symbols or illustrations to encompass geometric shapes and surreal images.

Many tattoo artists now cross over from sectors such gaming, graphic design, animation, and illustration, and bring new ideas and techniques to body art with them. 

The art of the tattoo is also receiving more attention and recognition from the wider art establishment. For example, some art galleries and museums feature exhibitions of tattoos that have been translated into other mediums, such as painting, screen printing, digital art, or even sculpture. 

The art of the tattoo is continually evolving. The more diverse backgrounds of body artists, increasing interest among the general public, recognition by the official art establishment, and high-tech equipment mean that tattooing is gathering momentum as a truly cultural artform, beyond the purely decorative or symbolic.