Behind the art
By Stephanie Denefrio
I have seen people discuss the symbolic meaning of the tattoos, brands, piercing, and scarifications they have chosen. I also have heard of a tattoo artist discussing the difference between casual and “collector” customers, and know of the artist’s description of the kinds of tattoos he or she regards as unethical. Many people might wonder the reason for this type of body art; they might even be prejudiced towards it. What I wanted to uncover was the reason behind the piercing and tattoos, to look beyond the ink or hole in this person’s body and find a story. These are the stories I have discovered…
“In high school I had a project in my art class that required me to make a creative symbol out of my initials. I created a star standing for ECT, I loved this project so much that it made me want to go into graphic design. I got it tattooed on me to remind me everyday why I’m in college, to share my creativity and art with the world.” ~Elyse Thornton
“It’s the combination of what you have that makes you different: a nose ring, lip ring, and orbital’s. I love getting new holes! Every new piercing has a reason and story behind it.”~ Lauren Parece
I got my lip ring at the beginning of sophomore year to welcome in the new school year and to make a statement for myself, plus I always wanted one. There are some piercing’s I get that have light stories like that when I go to Mom’s on a whim, but some are more deep and personal to me. My industrial was to represent a new chapter in my life after I was cut from the Keene softball team, I would no longer be a softball player, but I have this bar to remember where I began my new life. My two cartilage rings are from my trip to Florida with the softball team for my first spring break at college freshman year. Piercing’s are fun and a great way to remember times and phases in your life. ~Lauren Parece
“There are two things I love most in the world the Red Sox and music.” ~Jackie Byrnes
“I’m Irish, if you couldn’t tell by my name; I wanted something permanent to remind me of my heritage.”~ Chris Kiley
“ At first this was a wheel chair, I got it because It was a dare, they didn’t think I would actually get it, but I changed it to a star, because everyone has dreams and wants adventure.” ~Karissa Mahoney
mwalsh @ April 14, 2008
I really enjoyed looking at these pictures and reading the captions to these pictures. It is very interesting to see how younger generations are using piercings and body art to express themselves.
I really enjoyed reading this. Tattoos and piercings are something I love as well. I like reading other people’s reasonings behind it.
I think the opening paragraph is really great and introduces the pictures well. Could the some of the pictures be made any larger to really see the detail of their tattoos?
I have a lot of piercings and a couple tattoos but I don’t have any symbolic meaning for getting them. I just did it because I like how they look, so I don’t really believe that everyone has a meaning behind their tattoos. A lot of older people (like my gramma) seem to care more about the tattoos and peircings than people our age.
The girl at the top of the page and the tattoos of stars below the first article go together, just to let everyone know. The formatting became different when it was put online.
It is interesting to learn why people choose the tattoos and or body piercings. It would be more interesting to see if their thoughts are the same in 25 years.