An exploration of the convergences between tattoo culture and global contemporary art. 

Presenting a range of media by fifteen artists who also tattoo, Human Marks: Tattooing in Contemporary Art unpacks how the ethics, strategies, and concerns of tattooing shape the artists’ studio practices in experimental and revelatory ways.

In this lavishly illustrated publication, the oldest profession meets the latest artistic creations. With essays, artist profiles, and additional texts and interviews, Human Marks presents the full creative spectrum of artists who maintain both tattoo and studio practices to ask what the world of fine art can learn from today’s tattoo community. With a range of surprising media—from paintings made with human blood to wearable works in silicone and even perfumery—themes of ritual, ethics, and identity tie together the materially dynamic, unexpected, and challenging artwork featured in Human Marks.

Featured artists include Kaur Alia Ahmed, Oz Bardos, Makoto Chi, Nassim Dayoub, Evan Paul English, Gesiye, Don Ed Hardy, Ciara Havishya, Dr. Lakra, Christopher Martin, Duke Riley, Miller Robinson, Tamara Santibañez, Lyric Shen, and Jayna Won, with additional contributions by Kaur Alia Ahmed, Makoto Chi, Nassim Dayoub, Don Ed Hardy, Tamara Santibañez, Fiona Smith, Stevie Soares, Marcia Tucker, and V. Vale