Body Art

Everyone has their own stories and some ….

“My body is a journal in a way. It's like what sailors used to do, where every

tattoo meant something, a specific time in your life when you make a mark on

yourself, whether you do it yourself with a knife or with a professional tattoo

artist.” ~Johnny Depp…..just loves tattoos on their body.

“I don’t regret any of my tattoos, as long as you like it, that’s the most

important part. You don’t have to have a crazy story.” ~Kat Von D

1

Inner Right Arm: “Never Forgot”. Right Arm: Portrait of

Virgin Mary.

Daniel, American, 27.

Location: Around Pavilion

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3

Crystal, Chinese Malaysian,27.

Roses around her right abdomen towards her back.

4

Alan, Chinese Malaysian, 24.

Crucifix, Roses, Dove.

5

Michael, Chinese,25.

Similar tattoo to his brother, Alan.

A sword-pierced heart, dove, Hand clasping.

6

Vincent, Chinese Malaysian,20.

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Right Arm Left Arm

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Mark,Australian,25.

A portrait of Virgin Mary

9

Joe, Iban,25.

“I am a tattoo artist myself, there is no

specific reason for the tattoos that I

have, I just like them. Its art.”

Location: Sungei Wang

10

11

Dylan, Chinese Sarawakian, 39.

“I have my own

tattoo artist

back in

Sarawak. If I

want some

more tattoos, I

will go to him.”

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“My tattoos are usually inspired by different cultures”~ Dylan

Tibetan design

13

“An artwork

inspired by the

traditional Iban

tattoo design of

“bungai terung”.”14

“This is an artwork

inspired by a bionic

arm.” 15

Ann, from China, 27.

Mermaid Concept.

16

Tribal Bodyworks.

“Ah Kok and I have different skills and

techniques but we have the same

love for tattoos.” ~Ling, Tattoist.

17

Ling working on

a client’s tattoo.

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“Our catalogs are large and used for clients to have ideas of what they want for their tattoo

design. Also, to show our clients of past artwork as it is important to let them know that we are

experienced artist.”

19

“Sketching is my second love” ~Kelvin, co-

owner of Tattoo family Showing altered

sketches of his face.

20

“Guest tattooist would visit and tattoo whatever they have in mind on me.”

Image of Medusa.21

“My whole body is a canvas for fellow tattooist as well as myself to express our creative side.”22

23

Right leg

Sandman appearing in a woman’s dream.

24

“We keep a record of our artwork and who we have

tattooed for to show our future clients.”25

Inks.

“We make sure our

clients are not

allergic to some

pigments of the inks

that we use.”

Disposable ink caps.

“Hygiene is very important

to reduce the risk of

diseases and infections.”

26

“Artist will open new, sterile needle

packages in front of the client, and

always use new, sterile or sterile

disposable instruments and

supplies, and fresh ink for each

session (loaded into disposable ink

caps which are discarded after

each client.”

27

“For westerners, the tattoo has

always been a metaphor of

difference.”

Kerry Hart, Kiwi,58.

Married to a

Chinese Malaysian,

he has always like

the Chinese culture

which shows in his

tattoos.

Left arm: Dragon

Location: Sunway

28

“Getting a tattoo is addictive.”~ Vivian, client.

Location: Hartamas

29

Darkened outline of Vivian’s tattoo.

Darkened and shaded outline of

an image of Virgin Mary

praying.30

The outline of

Jenny’s tattoo.

31

The completed artwork. 32

“This is my second

client of the day. I

enjoy what I do and

it doesn’t feel like

I’m working.”~

Akang, Tattoist.33

Completed work inspired from the weeping statue of Virgin Mary. 34

Tribal design on Akang’s client.

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Photo Credits

Fellow Classmates:

Nur Adila

Nurul Nasreen

Meera Nazreen

Jeremy Cheong

Gertrude Lee

Elaine Bong

Lecturers:

Ms.Norma

Ms Delliya

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A man without tattoos is invisible to the Gods. ~Iban Proverb

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