Tattoo discrimination in UK?

So today, for the first time in ten years, I received a rude comment about my tattoos in UK.

A female came out of nowhere next to my face on the bus to say that my middle finger tattoo is satanic (pentagram). It took me some time to understand what she said because she had a thick Eastern European accent, but she repeated herself.

I was taken aback, because how the fuck did she even manage to see it from where she was originally sitting?
And also, who the fuck does that?

I responded that it's not satanic and then got off the bus. She kept on saying that's how she knows the symbol, as part of satanic imagery. As we were walking away from the bus I was telling my partner 'who the fuck does that!' -in regards to the rude woman, and then she approached me again, to say I should have had a cross (!) tattooed instead.

I told her that since I'm an Atheist there's no point in me getting a cross tattoo and kept on walking noticeably irritated.

Usually, I respond quite aggressively to these kind of unsolicited comments, but it's always in Greece this happens to me, so I was shocked to have someone make such an anachronistic and rude comment in London.
Even more surprising was that the woman was no more than 40/45, so a young person.

I get my tattoos for me, they're not public property to be commented on. People need to mind their own business.

The disparity of finding pleasure in aesthetics

Aesthetics. Or more specifically, the disparity of finding pleasure in aesthetics.

Do we have to abide by the 'laws' of the aesthetics we find pleasing or are attracted to?
Or is it possible to entertain a certain aesthetic and celebrate only parts of it?

I personally find immense pleasure in certain aesthetics. I enjoy occult, gothic, witchy, dark, alternative, body modification, victorian and edo era aesthetics -among others.
However, even though I find visual -and sometimes auditory- pleasure in those aesthetics, I may not always identify with the ideology, beliefs and faith associated with them.

After all, I can entertain parts of the aesthetics that intrigue me, without necessarily having to embrace the whole aesthetic. 

For instance, even though I'm extremely interested in witchcraft and the witchy aesthetic, I do not believe in magick and its manifestation. I may even attempt to practice witchcraft to experience or to achieve a better understanding of it. Nevertheless, I do not have faith in it.

Does the fact that I am attracted to occult symbols mean they have to mean something to me, or that I have to believe in what they stand for? Or am I allowed to give them my own meanings, or even enjoy them as images deprived of any meaning?

I have tattoos of occult symbols and plan to get a few occult and witchcraft themed tattoos as well. To me they mean a lot on a personal level, and especially as symbols of femininity and feminism. But not as much as symbols of magick and witchcraft.

Does that make me a hypocrite because I'm not a believer, because I don't have faith in magick?

Many would say yes. And that's fine.

But to me, having a specific interest doesn't demand faith. 

If Lemmy (the late lead singer of Motorhead) could collect Nazi memorabilia without being considered a Nazi or a fascist, if he was allowed to have an interested without having to be associated with its ideology, why can't I do the same?

And I think I can. Whether it's witchcraft, gothic aesthetics, the edo era or anything else, as long as I am respectful and have an understanding of the aesthetic, its history and what it entails, I believe I'm far from being a hypocrite. 

(image source:https://weheartit.com/entry/165358841)

2nd Athens Tattoo Expo Review

On Sunday the 8th I decided to visit the second Athens Tattoo Expo. I've been to the International Tattoo Convention before, so I had high expectations.

The event took place at the Music Conservatory of Athens, on the 7-8th of October, and it cost €10 to enter.


 The facebook page didn't have much information on the program, times etc.
You had to visit their official website to get a better grasp of what was going to take place during the Expo.

The price wasn't mentioned on the website until the week before the Expo would take place. Same goes for the program.

I didn't really pay attention to the website, and so I wasn't aware of the program and the times of the Expo.

 On Sunday, I decided I wanted to go, since Sunday was the 'Black and Grey' day.
I procrastinated all day, and around 7pm I thought I should get going.
I messaged the event to ask if it was worth it going this late, but I didn't receive a response.
I went anyway.

Upon entering I asked if I was too late, and the people at reception said I wasn't. They said I was just in time for the last 'Black and Grey' competition.
When I went downstairs they had already awarded the person who was on stage.
I decided to walk around and look at shop's portfolios.
I noticed a barber shop that offered free haircuts for men.
I also noticed a Vans room, where there was a movie on a big screen, presenting Vans creators and four shoes on display.
Outside the room was a huge Vans shoe you could draw on. There was barely any space on it, so I drew a little heart.

Inside the room I also noticed there was a laptop (unattended).
I was quite surprised anyone would leave such an expensive item unattended at an Expo.

I also noticed there was a 'Make a Wish' booth, where you could get a star tattoo for €20 which ςασ donated to the NGO. I passed the booth several times and I saw at least five people who had gotten star tattoos. Some looked better than others.
You had five or six designs to choose from.

Next to the booth were some shops booths like Monsterville, a sunglasses shop, a hat shop and a Monster (the energy drink) booth.


Overall, the space wasn't great. The tattoo shop booths were tiny, and I'm surprised people had enough space to tattoo. Also, the room where the Expo took place was underground, with no visible windows. And to get out you had to climb a lot of stairs.
I saw there was an option for wheelchair access, which is a first for Greece, and very positive.

I personally found a few tattoo shops that attracted my attention due to their portfolios. But due to the place being so crammed there was no space or time to make connections with any of them.

I definitely think that paying the full ticket, even though shops started closing within 30 minutes of my arrival was unfair. I would have rather receptionists told me the truth, that there was no point in me entering, rather than take my money and leave me with a sour taste in my mouth.
Another thing they could do would be to reduce the entrance fee towards the end.

I understand my opinion may be biased, as I didn't see any of the shows that took place, due to arriving late. However, had the Expo been more organised and published a flyer with the program of each day early on, things would be a lot different.

I personally don't think I'd pay to visit this Expo in the future, unless there's a lot of changes in the way they promote and manage it.

Ink Master Angels

Today I found out about Angels, an Ink Master spin off starring the four badass female tattoo artists of the previous season (Ryan Ashley, Kelly Doty, Nikki Simpson, Gia Rose).

Many people reacted negatively to the show, saying they're not going to watch it, that none of these women are talented tattoo artists, etc.

Well, one of them is an Ink Master, the other one is one of the pioneers of New School, the other one has been highly praised by the judges for her black and grey, and the fourth one is exquisite in her own style.

Some tried to defend not watching the show anymore by saying that those women created a lot of drama on the show.
Did you forget how many male tattoo artists have created drama, have bullied others and intimidated them on the show? Christian, Sketchy Lawyer, Jason, Aaron, Chris, and Gentle Jay, to name a few, all "played the game" on their season and created drama on the show.
Yet I don't see anyone targeting them.

Why?

Because they're men.

It's no secret that there's still sexism in the tattoo community.

Ink Master has tried to be more inclusive over the past few seasons: They awarded the first black Ink Master and the first female Ink Master.

But the audience can't accept the latter. In a hypermasculine community, such as the tattoo community, anything remotely feminine is looked down on.

Last season's female Ink Master, Ryan, and her all-female alliance, were unapologetically femme, feminists, and brought sexism in the tattoo community to the audience's attention.
They were brave and badasses, and they worked their asses off to ensure one female would win. And she did.

Considering the females have always been a minority on Ink Master, and that male tattoo artists always assumed and expected the females to target each other, these ladies made a huge accomplishment. They won against all odds.

Their sisterhood was strong, and a bright example of how women can lift each other up and be allies, not enemies.

Watching them has been beyond inspiring. It has been comforting, it has given many of us hope for the future.

Seeing Ryan say "I tattoo like a girl" with pride, meaning she's got a soft hand, but produces amazing results, was so encouraging for all females out there who struggle to survive in a world filled with toxic masculinity. In a world where anything feminine is disregarded.

So, Thank You Ladies.

Thank you for being an inspiration of what female solidarity can look like, of what it can accomplish, and for giving us hope for the future.

The show will air on the 3rd of October, and I will definitely be tuning in.

ps. And to the 'haters': If you sincerely love good tattoos, the gender of the artist shouldn't matter. Don't try to mask your sexism by diminishing their talent, because we can see right through it.

Dear tattoo magazines

Dear tattoo magazines,

Please stop sexualising the females on your covers and spreads.
Your audience comprises of males for the biggest part. But that is because you keep on choosing to be disrespectful towards females.

The way you portray tattooed females implies that all tattooed females are 'whores,' 'kinky,' 'dirty,' always wear revealing clothes and don't mind showing their tattoos. That is harmful.

Even though there's nothing wrong with a female being promiscuous, kinky or wearing revealing clothes, there shouldn't be a connection of those attributes to tattooed females by default.

You also need to teach your audience to stop touching tattooed females -or anyone for that matter- without their permission.

My tattoos aren't an invitation for anyone to grab my arms or touch them.
My tattoos aren't an indication of my sex life, my intelligence, my career path etc.
My tattoos -along with their aesthetic and meanings- are personal, and I choose if and when to display them, and whom I will let touch my skin.
I'm sick and tired of tattoo magazines being so 'macho' centric, that all they do is cater to harmful toxic masculinity demands and expectations.

Goodbye my neckpiercing

I had this piercing done around May/June 2009.
It was a very special piercing to me. 
I got it at Iris, at Patras. 
That along with a tattoo, where my best memories of living in Patras for 2 years.
But above all, this was done by one of the kindest, gentlest human beings I've ever met. 
He was a tattooer and piercer named Andreas. A middle-aged man full of life, respect and positivity. He always gave discounts to students, was welcoming, ready to give you candy or juice during a piercing or a tattoo.
This man passed away a few years ago, so my tattoo and that piercing (both of which I got the same day, my last day in Patras) mean so much.
Reminders of my time there, my first time living by myself, my first time as a university student; but also reminders of a great man who was always hospitable and kind.