Skin Deep

Steve — Various, arms and back
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, LONDON

Steve — Various, arms and back
In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a sudden growth in the popularity of tattooing. In California, where large naval bases had always provided tattooists with many customers, a number of practitioners moved away from the use of standard designs and began to produce unique tattoos. A few leading tattooists also began to research the history of their art. This move led to an increased sense of community amongst practitioners and enthusiasts, which was supported by the publication of specialized tattoo magazines. More recently, international tattoo conventions and the Internet have helped spread awareness of the art.

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