‘DIY Tattoo’ explores the scene and community of new age tattoo artists in the UK. Over the last two years I have been exploring this contemporary tattoo scene through a collaborative documentary approach, consisting of environmental portraits of tattoo artists in their spaces, and details of their practice. 

These self taught artists each come from unique backgrounds; illustrators, designers, fine artists, and art historians to name a few. Each artist is a reflection of their individual style and their work challenges the ‘traditional’ western format and route into tattooing that is seen on highstreets across the UK. As part of this project I receive a tattoo from each artist during the session that I photograph them. Being a ‘client’ of theirs and leaving with a piece from our encounter on my body puts me within this scene rather than an observer.

This ongoing collaboration has developed into self portraits.Illustrating the diptych nature of tattoo artist and canvas whilst simultaneously presenting their art.