Tattoos that mark the living memory
Archiving body art tributes
Moments after Deborah Davidson gave birth, her premature babies — both of whom died post-delivery in the mid-1970s — were brusquely taken away. She never got to see them, to hold them, or even to say goodbye.
Today, the York University sociologist honours their brief lives with two butterfly tattoos on her leg, and is fascinated by the vast number of Canadians who have inked similar tributes on their own flesh. To that end, Davidson is developing what she believes will be the world’s first comprehensive digital archive of memorial tattoos, envisioned as a “cultural heritage site” for the various remembrances — lost loves, deceased pets, and even expired relationships — that literally left their mark on those left behind.
“These tattoos open dialogue about the deceased, and about people’s experiences of love and loss,” said Davidson. “Their loved ones are embodied permanently on them, so they’re permanently with them.”
Currently in the prototype phase, the archive will include photos of memorial tattoos, along with written, audio, and video narratives putting the images in context.
A woman identified as BettyLou, for instance, sleeved both legs from knee to ankle with a tribute to her son, who died at age 25 after a battle with addiction and mental illness.
Phyllis, meanwhile, has a tattoo of a soccer ball with angel wings as a way of memorializing her daughter — an avid player of the game — whom she lost after the torment of school bullies led the girl to take her own life.
Tattoo artist Nadine Mitchell said memorial ink has become so popular, it accounts for “every second or third” commission at her Winnipeg studio.
“There’s a healing involved in receiving a tattoo that’s a memorial. Sometimes it’s a way of bringing the pain out,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell said replicas of a loved one’s handwriting or signature are trendy, while other jobs are a slower build .
“We started by doing his wife’s name and blood drops for every year she has been passed. It’s been four years and we’re still going through it,” said Mitchell.
Those interested in contributing to the archive can send information to yorktattooarchive@gmail.com. Samples are currently being displayed in an online gallery (http://bit.ly/13SRF4f).