First question, an obvious one..Why tattoo portraits?
I have tattoos myself and have always been interested in the art.
One of my big passions as a photographer has always been portraiture so combining the two was a natural and exciting progression for me.
I have always been fascinated by people and the tattoos they choose to adorn their bodies with serves as an extension and expression of the individuals’ personality. From a small, intimate flower to a bodysuit, all chosen for different and usually very personal reasons. I love being able to share in this.
Where are these portraits taken?
• I believe you went to a few conventions, where did you go and why these particular ones?
Yes, we shot them mainly at various tattoo conventions.
The ones we chose often came down to a very special blend of meticulous planning, timing and extreme luck.
It started with one in Cape Town, the first Cape Town Tattoo Convention which was meant to be a once off thing. But I got so fascinated by the results, which were great, that I decided to continue and it turned into the beginning of a long-term project and a book. So we decided to go to Singapore to get some more ethnic variety. We booked the trip but it was cancelled last minute.
So we changed continents and planned an ultimately very successful trip to Amsterdam. The idea behind Holland was that the locals are all liberal and free so we could only imagine how this would translate into tattoos.
We always check who will attend conventions, tattooists and tattoo collectors alike, because the most important thing for a project like this us apparent variety with the potential for underlying similarities amongst the people we hope to photograph.
I say “we” often because none of these projects would have been possible without the meticulous planning and endless effort put in by manager assistant/operator/tour guide/producer Kate Davies. Her dedication, excitement and commitment has been the driving force behind me getting so many of the great images we have managed to achieve so far.
You shot all these using a Hasselblad H3D31. Is there a reason for choosing a medium format system for this project?
Quality, quality, quality! We printed some of the pics to hang in the office in ueber size. Roughly 180x130cm!!
And you can see why I use Hasselblad. The pictures have detail which is extraordinary.
What do you plan to do with all these awesome images?
I’m planning to produce a coffee table book. Just looking for the right people to print it… Taschen do you read this??!!
Do you have enough images, are you satisfied or are there more conventions on the horizon?
I think you can always have more images but I am nearly satisfied with what I have. We will most likely attend the next Cape Town Tattoo Convention in January 2012. It’ll be great to go back, 3 years later, to the place all this started.
Then I wold love to do one convention in Asia and maybe one in the States, LA, Las Vegas perhaps…I just need to start saving some money.
Where can people see more of your work?
On my website, adriannakic.com
And soon I’m hoping to get it together a bit and finally organise an exhibition.. Not quite sure where yet tho!
THANKS!!!
Have a wonderful tattoo gallery show. I kinda love tattoo. Actually it’s very stylish approach. Thanks!
You need to have the right person to get those perfect tattoo done!!!
Impressive tatoos. i really enjoy this one as I am looking for a good design for my next tatoo on my thigh. I like the spider tatoo. It is simple yet stunning, Now, I can’t wait.
J1yEjs Yeah, now it’s clear !... And firstly I did not understand very much where there was the link with the title itself !!....
I have 3 tattoos and would not remove them for anyone. they are a way for alot of people to express them selves, some are for remembering a loved one, or paying a tribute to a special person in their lives. Tattoos are a lot like piercings alot of people have them as well but its the older generation who complains not the younger generation.
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I certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience