ROM's Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art. Exhibition Review
Much to my parent's dismay, I have had a love affair with tattoos ever since I was a child. I've always wanted one and got my first tattoo at 16 years old, when not many girls had tattoos. It was a cherub on the inside of my left ankle and I got it done in a friend of a friend's basement. It turned out much larger than I initially thought it would be and hid it from my parents for as long as I could, until summer came and there was no hiding it anymore. My parents were of course angry, but accepted it and were much cooler than I thought they would be. Since then I got inked six more times (more if I could afford it:), but I still love my first one. So when I first heard about the Tattoos exhibit at the ROM, I was so excited to learn more about this world I entered naively at the tender age of 16 and couldn't wait to visit it.
I finally got chance to visit the exhibit recently and I absolutely loved it.
Coming from its recent run at the musée du quai Branly in Paris, France, Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art. showcases over 200 objects relating to tattooing including several silicone body parts inked by some of the most famous tattoo artists from around the world. Tattoos doesn't just showcase the beautiful artistry of tattoos but explores the over 5000-year-old history of tattoos that spans cultures and nations including some images of tattoos used for both horrible and fascinating reasons. One of my favourite sections, and not displayed in the Paris exhibition, features tattooing in North American Indigenous cultures.
Whether you are inked or not, you will enjoy this exhibit. It is both beautiful and informative and well worth a visit. Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art. runs until September 5, 2016. Please visit ROM for more information.
P.s!: The ROM is hosting several Tattoos events to complement the exhibit.
P.s,
Melanie!
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