Could This Be Magic? Tattooing As Liberation Work

by Tamara Santibanez

Tattooing can be transformative—a way to create a new version of yourself. A tattoo can be a coping strategy, a manifesto, a bold declaration. Tattoos are armor. Being able to access these types of expression can make us feel more free as individuals, and affirms the values that bring us into ourselves. Artists do not tattoo in a void—we tattoo in a world that is governed by social forces and structural oppression. We cannot escape or ignore the lived experiences of ourselves or those who sit down to get work done. When we approach this responsibility with intention and clarity, we step into the ability to facilitate empowerment and healing. In providing an experience where a client is affirmed and treated with respect, we can interrupt the cycles of trauma that they live through in the world at large and work towards collective justice. We both mark and witness these moments for individuals, conjuring temporary autonomous zones and movement towards collective liberation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice

132 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across Tamara Santibanez on a podcast, and promplty listened to everything she ever appeared in on that medium. She is not only incredibly intelligent, but also graceful and community-minded in a way that feels inspiring, rather than a branding/identity type of deal (sorry lads I live in Berlin, I'm literally traumatised by all the social justice assholes around me).

This book is available both in print- which I unfortunately couldn't afford right now- and as a free digital download via her social media. That alone speaks volumes as to who this person is in my opinion.

The book merits rereading, and note taking, but on my first read I have become stuck on the concept of 'the wild west of tattooing' as an archaic training ground, and a massive source of trauma. I had my wild west youth in the film industry, and there was just such a sense of relief of someone else naming it.

Anyway, this book is a wonderful resource for any tattoo artist, or just artist artist.

[h · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy I bought a physical copy of this book last summer while I had the chance.

This is a great read, and one that I consider to be required reading for anyone interested in tattooing, whether that's on the giving or receiving end.

Every time I sat down to read I felt this deep sense of excitement and gratitude for what career I'm about to start - I know tattooing will be so right for me and I'm glad to have read this in preparation. I'll continue to re-read it over the years.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly in-depth read that gave lots of information and examples of things that I didn't expect or hadn't thought of when it comes to tattooing and tattoo politics.

[Kennedy! · Rating 5 out of 5]

life changing actually.