Tattoo artist Shane on how attitudes are still changing
Tattoos were once considered controversial and taboo – but Sligo now hosts several artist’s studios. Alan Finn talked to Shane Travers about the ever-changing attitudes towards tattoos, his lifelong interest in art and the responsibilities of a tattoo artist
IN THE NOT too distant past in a more conservative Ireland, tattoos were considered taboo.
Those who had them often kept them very private, dare they otherwise risk creating a rift at home and nullifying their chances of employment.
The general attitude towards tattoos has changed in the decades since with a wider appreciation of them as a form of art which has the ability tell a personal story.
One artist tasked with portrying those stories is Shane Travers. A native of Bellanagare in Co. Roscommon, Shane has been in Sligo for the past nine years and opened his own tattoo studio in Innisfree House on High Street in 2019. Shane has had a passion for art from a young age which eventually led to an interest in tattoos.
“I have been drawing for as long as I remember. If there was ever a sign to be made in primary school the teacher would ask me to do it. I would be drawing on everything – tables, books, things I wasn’t supposed to be drawing on!
“I always liked art and loved the idea of skin as a canvas to tell a story.” He is very much a self-taught artist, plying his trade initially in nearby Castlerea before moving to Sligo to further pursue his interest in art. “I used to do tattoos on the side in Castlerea. I taught myself and when I moved to Sligo I got some work in a shop as work experience when I was doing an arts and design course. “I progressed as a tattoo artist by teaching myself,” he continued. “I never did an apprenticeship but if I was to start over that’s what I probably would have done. When I started off in Castlerea I was tattooing people who were in and out of prison. From there I progressed and I was involved in different conventions in Rome, Amsterdam and Athens. It has been a dream of mine to get to this stage.” Shane spent a number of years building his reputation and clientele working locally before eventually deciding to follow his own path three years ago. “I have always been busy here. I was confident enough to take a leap on my own and it was a leap into the deep end, but it has paid off.” In 10 years, he has witnessed a shift in attitudes towards tattoos. He explained that people often want a direct copy of something they have seen online or being sported by a celebrity – but Shane encourages clients to do something original and personal. “Ten years ago, if a daughter got a tattoo she would have to hide it from her mother. Now the mother is coming in with them to get matching tattoos. “People’s minds are always changing about them. Young fellas are gone mad for their lions, roses, doves. People are getting the same thing but I would always encourage someone to get something different.
“They often get their ideas from the likes of Pinterest and Instagram. But I do custom work. I do exactly what you want. Let your body tell your story.” While not everyone is suddenly getting tattoos, the artist has noticed a general fascination from people of all age groups and from all walks of life – even walks of life where a visible tattoo was seen as a self-inflicted blockade from employment. “I have found throughout the years that more people who would have office jobs are getting tattoos that aren’t totally concealed. It’s not the taboo subject it used to be. People are more into it, when I am out and about I am always asked about tattoos. From 13-year-olds to 80-year-olds, there is a much bigger interest in them.”
While teenagers ask him about tattoos, he went onto explain that he does draw a line at having clients who are under the age of 17.
While Ireland does not have a legal age limit for tattoos, his studio does. He also said that while common sense is usually applied, there are some tattoo requests he simply won’t do. Shane said: “I would say at least once a week I turn someone away because they are looking for something I simply won’t do. I get teenagers looking to be tattooed underage and they are saying it’s against the law for me not to do it, but nevertheless I still tell them no. “I won’t tattoo partners or spouses names – you might be in love at the time but you don’t know that these things will last forever.
“You occasionally see requests that are simply just racist as well. You have to draw the line somewhere, it isn’t about money, it’s about your own morals. I don’t want someone going around town with swatstika on their arm knowing that I tattooed that.” He also won’t apply visible tattoos to somebody who has not been tattooed a lot previously – or at all – as such tattoos could still cause a lot of grief for the person who wants it.
“I wouldn’t tattoo someone’s hand, neck or face if they aren’t already heavily tattooed. They are big commitments and I would not want to be responsible for someone losing their job just to make a few quid more.” Shane was in the same position as every business person in Ireland last March – he was facing into the unknown with very little business and bills still needing to be paid. He received a lot of support from clients and applied his skills to the needs of other businesses which seen him through the toughest times of this pandemic.
While he admits he is wary that the possibility of another lockdown may persistently linger in the background, he is largely looking forward with a sense of optimism.
“When Covid hit I was very worried. Going into lockdown for two weeks turned into three months and you still had to pay the bills. Thankfully I have a lot of clients who got vouchers from me and that kept me going. I did some graphic designs for businesses which also kept me going.
“I hope this is the last lockdown – and I do feel good about moving forward now,” he added.