TATTOO ARTISTS

When COVID-19 came, fear was there, stride-for-stride.

Uncertainty swept through the nation in a fashion most people had not experienced before.

What was safe to do?

Who could you see?

What is the responsible choice to make?

These kinds of questions were blended into just about every decision made until the Australian Government halted everything.

Everyday life was suddenly too dangerous to lead. People could not go out unless they were getting the necessities or worked an essential job.

The concept of what it meant to work was part of this enormous change also.

The home became a workspace for many people throughout the country, and although there were many teething issues for plenty of people, most forms of work were able to keep the ball rolling in one way or another.

Some businesses did not have the luxury of being able to complete work to the same capacity however, forcing them to change their current model to keep their heads above water.

Tattoo parlours right around the globe were closed as part of restrictions for lengthy periods, with Melbourne’s closure period of two months coming to an end last week.

*_{March 25th statement by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding closures}*

*_{March 25th statement by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding closures}*

In a business that relies on a physical interaction between a customer and a professional, that uncertainty became very real for tattoo artists who had never seen such protocols enforced before.

With the main source of income coming from producing tattoos for clients in a shop, many artists were forced to embrace alternative aspects of their craft.

Melbourne-based tattoo artist, Michael Forrest, explained the closure—at the time of being interviewed—had not been as frightening as he thought it would be.

_{Tattoo artist, Michael Forrest}

Forrest, as well as many other artists around the nation and globe, turned to channeling their art through other mediums--namely prints and paintings-- to help generate income as well as reflect the world they had found themselves in.

With the process of creating prints and painting artwork being heavily tied to the culture and practice of tattooing, especially the style of American traditional tattooing (which artists like Forrest choose to adopt and practice), the work itself was not new or irregular.

The wave of interaction however, which was channelled largely though social media, was something new to embrace.

_{Image courtesy of Michael Forrest}

_{Tattoo artist, Michael Forrest}

With the days a lot more open than he was used to, Forrest also engaged with his followers by creating online video tutorials, which demonstrated how to draw iconic tattoo designs, such as daggers, webs and eagles.

Falling in with many of the hobbies people had the time to practice at home, the results were incredible, and it was refreshing to see people trying to make light of such an unprecedented situation.

_{Web tutorial done by Forrest}

Following along with the activities myself, I noticed many tattoo artists went live on their social media platforms and engaged with followers through AMA style formats, which was interesting and insightful also.

_{Forrest making a time-lapse of him creating an artwork}

"I feel like now I can just come home and paint for fun, and whatever I paint for fun I'll make available as flash, and people can get it tattooed"
Michael Forrest

Within the Melbourne tattoo community, Forrest noted how thoughtful customers and professionals were in considering how they might be able to assist each other during a time where they could not interact in a manner they were used to.

_{Tattoo artist, Michael Forrest}

Now being able to tattoo again (while obviously observing the appropriate health measures put in place), Forrest, like many others, have expressed their joy in being able to practice a craft they love.

With lessons learned about the financial impact of uncontrollable circumstances, as well as plenty of time to think about what they aim to accomplish now the restrictions have eased, artists around the city and beyond will undoubtedly be looking through a new perspective.

_{Post made by Forrest regarding re-opening of tattoo shops}

_{Post made by Forrest regarding re-opening of tattoo shops}

The strain placed on tattooing was certainly immense and there is no indication of when it may finally dissipate, even with shops back up and running. Considering though, that the practice is rooted deeply in an idea of community, as well as having a strong emphasis on resilience, the wisdom gained seemingly outweighs any challenge which may be hurled towards it.

_{Forrest's rendition of the traditional sacred heart tattoo design}