Mark Perrott focuses on baby boomer tattoos
An exhibition of work by Pittsburgh photographer par excellence Mark Perrott opened last week at the Erie Art Museum and will continue through Jan. 28. An artist reception will be held from 7-10 p.m. July 28.
“ANCIENT INK” comprises 50by-50-inch portraits of tattooed subjects that, Mr. Perrott says in his artist statement, “speak of resilience, loss, transformation, mystery and the emancipation that sometimes comeswith growing old.”
Mr. Perrott memorialized the Jones & Laughlin steel mill in his photographs and book “Eliza” and illustrated the rawness and decay of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelpha through the imagery of “Hope Abandoned.” He began his exploration of tattoo art in the late 1970s.
A mini cell phone documentary by Dan Barnhill, posted on the museum website, follows Mr. Perrott in the field as he looks for, interviews and photographs the subjects in the exhibition. It captures the sensitivity required of the artist to create the moment that results in these engaging images, which speak equally to the individual subject and to the human species. And to the craft honed by Mr. Perrott over decades of observation and contemplation.
The museum is at 411 State St., Erie. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9; seniors and students $7; children under 5, members and anyone on Wednesdays and every second Sunday, free. Information: http://erieartmuseum.org or 1-814-459-5477.