The tattoo: an arty phenomenon at quai Branly

Tatoueurs Tatoues

Are you amongst the 10% of tattooed French? Exit the cliché of a sailor with heart on his airm on an eagle drawn on an underground rocker’s torso. From socialites (Nicole Richie) to princesses (Stéphanie de Monaco), hipsters (by definition) to political figures (theirs are well hidden), from models (Kate Moss) to working-girls, they have all succumbed to the trend.

The Musée du quai Branly has given its letters of nobility to the body sketch, today well « anchored » in our society. An exhibition, both historic and arty, that  does not just retrace the origins as well as the technique et graphic evolutions of tattoos.

I has made it into an art form in its own right.

Reproductions of arms, legs and backs have even served as canvases for trendy tattoo-artists (including Frenchy Tin-Tin and the Japanese Horiyoshi III), who created needle works specially for the event.

We like: a large exhibit (300 works), informative, playful and (re)creational.

Tatoueurs, tatoués, from 6 May 2014 to 18 October 2015, Mezzanine Ouest

Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm.

Closed on Monday.

Painting by Titine Leu, 2000
"Artoria Circus Lady"
Tattooed by her husband R. Gibbons, 1921-1924
Acrylic on canvas, 200 cm x 150 cm
Private collection of The Leu Family's Family Iron

© The Leu Family's Family Iron

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