Tattoos have been around for centuries and rose in popularity in the 1960s and ‘70s. Now, tattoos remain a common form of expression people have on their bodies. With seemingly endless possibilities, SCHS students and staff reflected on tattoos as a form of art.
Math teacher Anthony Brasil has two tattoos, one being a Portuguese crest on his back that represents the history of his family.
“My back tattoo I got with my brother when I was 18, but I had wanted it for a while,” Brasil said. “Both my parents are Portuguese and came from the Azores of Portugal when they were kids.”
There are opposing perspectives on the idea of tattoos, according to senior Pablo Samano. He has noticed that some people make negative assumptions about tattoos and the reasons why people choose to get them.
“I think it’s just some social stigma where people think tattoos are bad and look scary, a stereotype where people with tattoos are bad,” Samano said. “I think people have misconceptions. They think they’re a bad idea, as if you’re ruining your skin, but if you enjoy something and get a tattoo of it, I think it’s amazing and beautiful.”
Junior Grace Muresan agrees that people have misconceptions about tattoos and associate them with negative things. She added that the current generation, however, normalizes tattoos and does not see them as taboo compared to older generations.
“Tattoos can be associated with things like gangs and criminal behavior, but (people) fail to realize that a lot of benevolent groups are identified with tattoos as well,” Muresan said. “Many don’t seem to recognize it as a form of self-expression, but this generation seems to accept them more than previous generations.”
Brasil added that the older generations view tattoos as a negative form of art on one’s body and see them as a criminal offense. He asserted that in modern days, tattoos are seen on a regular basis and there are not as many negative perceptions on them.
“Back in the day, I think people thought that if you had tattoos you were a ‘problem kid’ or a bad person or involved with crime,” Brasil said. “Now, I think it’s commonplace, where a lot of people have it, so I don’t think it’s opposition anymore.”
Muresan thinks that one does not need a significant reason to have a tattoo. She regards that a reason one would get a tattoo is due to the aesthetic look of them, and people could want tattoos for the appearance, not for any specific reason.
“Some people get tattoos to remind them of something or for sentimental value and memories. Other people get them just because it matches their style or they think it looks nice, Muresan said. “ Tattoos are very versatile and come in so many styles, the reason why doesn’t matter as much,”
With his own experiences, Samano considers that one gets tattoos for the look and to feel a sense of energy within themselves. He spoke of a family member who has tattoos and thinks there is no significance to them.
“I think people get tattoos to look cool,” Samano said. “My dad has a lot of tattoos, and a lot of them I don’t think have a real meaning.”
With the younger generation having a strong desire for tattoos, Brasil advises them to be cautious before one decides to get one. He takes into account that there are many factors to consider before getting a tattoo.
“You should wait until you know it’s something that you want and you have the money to get it and an artist you like,” Brasil said.
For Samano, tattoos are a form of expressiveness. Tattoos come in many variations, so he wants a tattoo that would show his interests and represent his true self.
“I would probably get something music-related, a band or an artist,” Samano said. “It would really show my love for music and appreciation of those artists.”
Muresan believes tattoos are an excellent way for people to express their individuality, which can be a form of art. She wants to get real tattoos in the near future due to their flattering looks.
“I think they’re a lovely form of self-expression,” Muresan said. “Some styles of tattoos are beautiful and artistic.”