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Inked exhibit features local shops, residents
BASTROP – A change of pace for Bastrop’s historical center filled seats and drew in many for the first time last week, highlighting local artists, tattooed residents and the sentiments marked in their skin.
The Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center July 12 debuted “Stories Inked in Skin” to a full house. The feature exhibit stepped away from the more typical displays of antiquity and local history expected of the site and found success encouraging support for the award-winning museum from a new demographic.
“There’s a reason if you go to the Bullock Museum that they have a lowrider car exhibit, there’s a reason if you go to the LBJ Library that they have rock and roll memorabilia, there’s a reason for that,” Ron Ramirez said alongside Heather Bloom, both exhibit organizers. “Us old people can’t just keep saying we’re going to do the same old things over and over again. At first, maybe some people weren’t crazy about the idea, but look at this room.”
“Stories Inked in Skin” features a lineup of art on display, pictures of tattooed locals accompanied by small bios explaining the stories, memories and emotions behind their pieces. Over 70 entries were sent in, all of which are shared in the exhibit’s additional art book.
Nearly half of the packed exhibit room attendees stated that this was their first time in the museum.
“I wanted to include the participation of all of our community, and I wanted to challenge the way we look at ourselves and at others. I wanted to bring out the stories, the stories that we share and can relate to despite our experiences and differences,” Bloom said. “I believe you can admire and appreciate tattoos without wanting to have them on yourself. When we open our minds, we open our hearts, and that is how you build community – not with conformity.”
Representatives from the tattoo shops responsible for many of the pieces of art on display attended the opening ceremony, and helped provide depth for the exhibit’s content.
“The stories behind some of these pieces are just truly amazing, heartfelt, just very touching, but I wanted to talk about the other side of it, too – sometimes there’s not always a story,” Joshua Carnes said, coowner of Elgin-based Remember Me Tattoos.
Carnes has over 100 hours of work on his body but stated he would have a hard time choosing something for the exhibit. Sometimes tattoos are as simple as just liking a design, not always deep or emotional, according to the artist.
Additionally, Molly Hatchet of Cedar Creek’s Ink’d Out Tattoos took the time to share the role that females play in the industry.
Challenges for female artists today include overcoming prejudices and establishing credibility in a historically male-dominated industry, according to Hatchet. Traditionally, apprenticeships, which are key to becoming a skilled artist, have been less accessible to women and it’s challenging to get necessary experience and mentorship.
“Female artists that do succeed in the industry often bring unique perspectives and innovative designs, enriching the tapestry of available tattoo art,” Hatchet said. “Their growing presence has slowly been transforming the industry norms, leading to a more inclusive and diverse artistic environment.”
Now, women make up 44% of all tattoo artists, according to a recent study by EarthWeb.
Tattoos have become mainstream and broadly accepted as body art, according to the artist, but time will tell if the more modern exhibit is enough to help boost membership numbers at the downtown location.
The tattoo showcase is scheduled to run through Oct. 26 at the Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center, 904 Main St. Annual memberships are available for $25.
