Some tattoo artists gathered at CXE Art and Collectibles in Maginhawa last July 16. They launched an exhibit called “On the Surface.”
Their goal is to remove the stigma when it comes to having tattoos. That stigma is attached not only to tattooed people but to tattoo artists as well. Both groups have long been judged unfairly because of their tattoos.
Artist Sigwada Knicolai Mendoza says the purpose of the exhibit is to educate people. Their team wanted to show viewers that they’re passionate about what they do. That the art of tattooing is so much more than painting on a human canvas.
“We want to show that we tattoo artists are tenacious in the face of adversity,” she said. “We are more than what’s on the surface, than what’s visible to the eye. Our passion for our art goes beyond what we do on human skin.”
Mendoza, who helped organize the event, says tattoos are no less important than any other art form. She also emphasized that they hope to educate people. They want to prove that tattoo artists can also create something contemporary. Aside from what they do on a daily basis, they can also work with mediums like acrylic, oil, and mixed media.
According to Mendoza, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic inspired them to organize the exhibit. Because people couldn’t go to them to get tattoos, they didn’t have much to do during the lockdown. To stay busy, they decided to paint. This also helped them keep anxiety and depression at bay.
This features 16 artists from the tattoo industry. Scroll their works below.
If you’re interested in purchasing any of these, they’re still on display and up for grabs. Drop by CXE Art and Collectibles anytime.
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