Tattoos
Body art/Tattoos
have assumed many forms throughout the history of various civilizations
throughout the world. A tattoo can be defined as an indelible marking made on
the skin using special pigment. It can be designed in various shapes, forms and
sizes to satisfy the client. The origin
of tattoos dates back to the ninth century not only in the Scandinavian valleys
of Russia but the hills of china and great pyramids of Egypt (Gaudio, pg.13).
Several reasons inspire people to permanently draw images on their bodies.
Depending on the occasion or the customs, the motives range from rites of
passage, as a symbol of social class and rank, age group, membership in a
society or group, rebellion, and creative expression. This paper boldly
explains the grounds behind getting tattoos and the detrimental effects they
have on people and the society as a whole. A myriad of particular individual
reasons motivate people to get tattoos, but trends and patterns are by far
identified that make clear why countless people in the United States and other
civilizations desire to have one or more forms of body art.
The History of Tattoos in America
As mentioned,
tattoos date back to the Neolithic period where tribes engaged in ethnic
customs that involved various forms of body art (Gaudio, pg.2). Monarchs,
civilians, merchants, Vikings and prisoners alike all indulged in the creative
art of tattooing. Evidence collected from historical sites and accounts reveal
the presence of body art in ancient Egypt, Siberia, New Guinea, China, Brazil
etc. this only goes to show how global the art of tattooing is, and how mature
(Gaudio, pg. 45). If truth be told, tattooing had been in existence centuries
before England's Captain Cook encountered it in the South Pacific in 1769
(Finan, par.5). When his adventures landed him in present day Tahiti, the great
explorer observed natives marking themselves in tribal pigment that left tattoo
marks on their skin.
In his exploratory
book The Voyage in H.M. Bark Endeavor, cook employed the use of the term
“tatua” which in English meant to leave a mark on ones skin. Bringing back the
practice to his homeland, Cook pioneered the art of tattooing which has spread
into many parts of America and the entire globe. In America, tattooing was at
first considered uncouth and was unaccepted in many parts. This school of
thought changed and in fact German native Martin Hildebrandt got to be the
first professional tattoo artist in mainstream America (Kwiatkowski, par.6).
Previously,
tattoos were drawn by hand and needle but by 1891 had developed to an electric
tattoo machine that was easily able to made indelible markings on the skin.
Following this, a legacy of body art was then pioneered by Irish born Samuel
O'Reilly who established a tattoo parlor in New York City (Kwiatkowski, par.2).
Thereafter during the two world wars, and the punk rock movements, American
militants and vigilante groups employed tattooing as a means of protection and
identity (Jackson, par.4). Vikings and nautical seamen soon extend the art to
Scandinavia and the states. But whereas its significance has varied from
culture to culture as well as from civilization to civilization, tattooing has
more often stood as a symbol of social status, as a sign of one's course
through life, or merely as a way to beautify the body (Kwiatkowski, par.6).
Once thought of in the West as frightening and repulsive especially during the
punk movement in America and Europe, the tattoo has enjoyed great fame in our
own culture in especially in recent years. Everything around us today; films,
advertisements, magazines, television programs, conventions etc show signs that
populace of all cultures and ethnicities understand value and practice the art
of the tattoo.
Effects of Tattoos on the Body
In light of the discussion above,
tattoos still have detrimental effects and health risks that may be harmful to
the person getting the tattoo. Given the fact that getting a tattoo involves
needles and blood, the practice hold several risks. When tattoo artists fail to
use proper sterilization and sanitation methods, the client is at risk of
getting various infections which include HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis
among others. Although doctors have had no documented proof of the transmission
of HIV through tattoos and body work, cases of hepatitis B and syphilis
infections have been on the rise, especially in cases where the artist fails to
use proper cleaning methods. Also, bacterial infections are likely to occur with
tattoo infections in the case where a client fails to apply the required anti
bacterial cream that protects against infection.
In conclusion,Tattooing is in this new age seen as a part of fashion and the young generation is plainly crazy about this kind of body art. The blend of technology, historical knowledge and artistic skill has taken the art of tattooing to unimaginable heights with people tattooing virtually any part of their body. Tattoo and body art is fast growing in not only America but all over that there is hardly any country unaffected by this form of art.
In conclusion,Tattooing is in this new age seen as a part of fashion and the young generation is plainly crazy about this kind of body art. The blend of technology, historical knowledge and artistic skill has taken the art of tattooing to unimaginable heights with people tattooing virtually any part of their body. Tattoo and body art is fast growing in not only America but all over that there is hardly any country unaffected by this form of art.
Work Cited
Gaudio, M. Engraving the savage: The New World and Techniques of Civilization. Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press/ Minneapolis, London. 2008. Print.
FINAN/London, EILEEN. Is Art Just Skin Deep? 2002.Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
Kwiatkowski, P. Tattoos, Mar 27, 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
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