Total Posts: 26
Tom Fogarty writes about tattoos - not as kitschy lexicon fodder, but as personal art, cultural signifier, and sometimes regrettable choice. Expect reflections, occasional visuals, and the kind of quiet wonder that only inked skin can provoke.
Ah yes – the noble reptile tattoo. In a world awash with minimalist arrows, delicate florals and the thousandth feather drifting across clavicles, some brave souls thought, “Why not commemorate the cold-blooded elite with permanent ink?” Bravo. Truly bold. Truly unique. And absolutely the perfect way to emphasise that you’re either a deep thinker or […]
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The noble insect tattoo. In a world rife with minimalist waves, sacred geometry and “meaningful” birds in flight, you thought: “Why not honour the creeping, crawling, six-legged world with permanent ink?” Bravo. Truly bold, truly unique – and the perfect way to declare you’re not afraid of a little bit of nature (or that you […]
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If you thought Duncan X was just the tattoo artist who made your skin a canvas for existential dread, think again. In this new documentary from Earth House titled I AM THE BOMB, Duncan dives headfirst into his artistic evolution, and it’s as raw, unapologetic, and captivating as his tattoos. No delicate florals here – […]
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Tattoos. Once the domain of sailors, prisoners, and that one bloke who insists on telling you about his gap year in Thailand, tattoos have become the ultimate expression of individuality. Naturally, when contemplating permanent body art, the discerning individual might consider many motifs: a loved one’s name, an inspirational quote in a language they don’t […]
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In the pantheon of rock and roll’s most colourful characters, GG Allin stands as a beacon of raw, unfiltered chaos. For those unfamiliar with his oeuvre, imagine if Keith Richards, Johnny Rotten, and a rabid honey badger somehow had a child who grew up on a strict diet of dynamite, nihilism, and public indecency. He […]
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In a groundbreaking turn of events that has the entire tattoo community astounded, bat tattoos are emerging as the hottest trend of the century. Yes, you heard it right, forget about intricate designs, meaningful symbols, or even originality! It’s time to embrace the bat. Because clearly, nothing screams individuality like getting the same tattoo as […]
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Ah, the timeless art of skull tattoos – because apparently, expressing individuality means joining the ranks of countless others with the same bright idea. In a world full of flowers, butterflies, and meaningful symbols, why not opt for the classic skull to truly stand out from the crowd? The Symbolism: Because We’re All So Deep […]
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From time to time, random people will ask me what some of my tattoos mean. They often ask how many I have as well and then seem incredulous when I tell them that I do not know. They assume I’m being aloof, but the truth is, I stopped counting years ago. During these occasional interrogations […]
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I was a very different person in 2011 than I am today (although I do have the same DNA). At the age of 30, I was a ridiculous excuse for an adult who constantly made poor life choices, was obsessed with GG Allin, and spent too much time going to gigs and the pub. Whereas […]
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Duncan X is the undisputed king of blackwork tattooing, a man who has spent decades inking skin with stark, brutalist masterpieces while looking like he wandered straight out of a post-apocalyptic biker gang or a Gulag lifer (in the best possible way). Formerly of Into You, the legendary London studio, his work is instantly recognisable […]
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Ever found yourself in the creative doldrums, where inspiration flows as freely as a traffic jam on the M25? Fear not, for even the most illustrious among us have their off days. In such spirit, I present to you a meticulously curated (read: hastily assembled) list of tattoo artists who have, at various times, used […]
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So, you’ve spotted someone with ink permanently attached to their dermis. Before blurting out your “helpful” thoughts, maybe pause – and read this. It’s like a polite request from your local tattooed citizenry to shut it. “Did it hurt?” Yes, Sherlock, stabbing someone repeatedly with needles might sting a tad. But hey, if someone bumped […]
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Young love – a time of impulsive decisions and questionable choices. Take, for instance, the moment I decided to get a tattoo to commemorate a budding romance. Not just any tattoo, mind you, but one discreetly placed on the inside of my lower lip. Because nothing says “commitment” like enduring pain for a hidden symbol […]
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About a year ago, I found myself meandering through Soho after work when I stumbled upon a tattoo shop offering a Friday the 13th special: a “13” tattoo for just £13. For someone like me – who thrives on questionable decisions and has a penchant for the macabre – it was an offer too tempting […]
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I once got a diamond tattooed on my thumb. I didn’t win it in a high-stakes poker game, and I’m not secretly a Bond villain. I just thought it looked cool. That’s it. No symbolism, no spiritual awakening, no heartfelt story. I was at the London Tattoo Convention, mildly hungover, and decided to let a […]
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It was a crisp November morning in 2011, the kind that makes you question your life choices while sipping lukewarm coffee. I found myself perusing the internet, as one does when procrastinating on more pressing matters, and stumbled upon an offer that piqued my interest. Tattoo artist Melissa Szeto was running a Halloween flash sale: […]
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So, you’ve decided to ignore common sense, hygiene standards, and your mum’s advice – all in pursuit of at-home body art. Bravo. What follows is not encouragement but a dry, vaguely helpful guide to doing a DIY tattoo without ending up with sepsis, regret, or something that looks like a cursed biro doodle. 1. Introduction: […]
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There are decisions in life that one makes with great care and deliberation. Buying a house. Naming a child. Choosing a healthcare provider. And then there are decisions one makes after three pints of something Belgian, surrounded by strangers who think leather waistcoats are a personality. I, dear reader, made the latter kind of decision […]
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Let’s set the scene. Picture the Soviet-era prison system – a lovely place reminiscent of your average five-star spa, but with more barbed wire and fewer fluffy towels. In these charming establishments, inmates trotted about inked head to toe, each tattoo a meticulous résumé of their misdemeanours. These weren’t dainty things you’d show off at […]
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There comes a time in every man’s life when he looks in the mirror, surveys his bare leg, and thinks, “You know what this shin needs? A massive tiger.” For me, that moment occurred on a nondescript Tuesday afternoon in Soho, presumably after too much coffee and too little adult supervision. Now, I should preface […]
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On a drizzly March afternoon in 2011, I found myself in Soho, that charmingly dishevelled corner of London where the streets are paved with stories – and occasionally, something more suspect. I was en route to Diamond Jack’s Tattoo Studio, a place where the ink flows as freely as the conversation. My mission? To etch […]
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I’ve been fascinated by tattoos from as far back as I can remember. Those indelible marks of rebellion, self-expression, and, occasionally, regrettable decisions made under the influence of youthful exuberance or a few too many pints. I’ve been fascinated by them since I was a wee lad, long before I understood that permanently etching images […]
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Let’s set the record straight before I begin: yes, I tattooed my own heel. Yes, it’s a tombstone. And, yes, it’s inscribed with the name of GG Allin. And no, I absolutely do not regret every wincing, itchy, nightmarish second of it. Because if you’re going to commemorate a man who brought chaos, self-destruction, and […]
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Act I: The Great Photoshop Tattoo Joke (Late 2010) In the depths of late 2010, with boredom clenched like a wet sock, I embarked on my first digital masterpiece: photoshopping prison-style tattoos from the infamous Duncan X flash onto my torso. Picture me in long johns, midriff prominently displayed, sporting designs so convincing that someone […]
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It started, as many regrettable incidents do, on a Monday. A Monday with that particular brand of drizzle that feels like the sky is sneezing on you in slow motion. I was trudging to work, headphones in, head down, hands in pockets – the classic British defensive stance against interacting with both the weather and […]
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As you are probably aware, tattooing is the art of permanently etching impulsive decisions onto your skin. I’ve always been fond of tattoos, particularly the delightful blend of artistry and poor life choices they represent. My first was at 16, the second at 22, and since then, I’ve been collecting them like bad habits. Currently, […]
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