Memories on the Skin
Memories on the Skin is a visual guide for first-time tattoo seekers, offering reflections on what to consider before getting inked. Through personal stories, photography, and editorial design, it explores the meaning behind tattoos, what it means to wear symbols on your skin, and the importance of cultural awareness.
Tattoos have become extremely popular, and for good reasons. People use them to express themselves and their personality, to remember an important moment in their lives, or simply to decorate their body. In difficult times, they can help people heal or feel a sense of control. No matter the reason, tattoos act as visual markers of our experiences, allowing us to carry parts of our story with us on our skin. But how do you choose a symbol that you will carry on your skin forever?
“Instead of collecting physical souvenirs, I’ve collected them on my skin.”
I draw from my own journey with tattoos, approaching this topic in a friendly, big sister way. I share the choices that I’m proud of, but I also open up about some regrets and lessons I’ve learned along the way. Reflecting back, there are choices I wish I had thought through more carefully, especially around the topic of cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation is when someone, usually from a more dominant culture, takes elements from another culture, often marginalized or oppressed, in a way that strips them of their original meaning or shows a lack of respect. When it comes to tattoos, this could mean getting a symbol, word, or design from another culture without truly understanding its significance or the context behind it. When we take symbols out of their original context, their meaning can easily shift, be misunderstood, or even come off as offensive.
By speaking openly and honestly about these topics, my hope is to encourage others to pause, think, and make informed, thoughtful choices when getting tattooed.
