More Body as Canvas
Added 2021-03-24 09:48:46 +0000 UTCWhen I first immigrated to the US in the 1970s, only sailors and ex-cons had tattoos.
Then in mid 1990s I started to notice some of the models would take their clothes off and reveal small designs here and there on their torsos. As we approached the end of the millennium, it became evident that an urban tribal movement was sweeping across parts of society, and ink parlors started popping up in places like Melrose Avenue.
Punk kids were sporting mohawk hairdos, stud chokers and black leather boots. But some wanted to make statements that were more daring. People started experimenting with bits of steel and silicone implanted in various parts of their anatomy. Dermal implants were for the hard core, but getting a bit of ink in secret places became common. Even some of the sorority girls that I photographed while studying at USC in Los Angeles started showing up with small amounts of ink.
In the last two decades getting inked has become almost mainstream. I am constantly surprised at the varied and beautiful art I see on some of the dancers and yogis I shoot with, like the swirling designs on Desiree here.
