Think of a work of art. Michelangelo’s David, da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, or Botticelli’s Mars and Venus might come to mind. What might not come to mind is your local tattoo artist’s ink.
All of said painters were from the Renaissance time period, when Europe was changing and evolving religiously, politically, and artistically. During that time, these men were ridiculed and judged for their work, but now their paintings and sculptures are some of the most famous of this day and age.
Tattoo artists are somewhat like these Renaissance men, in the way that they are sometimes scorned for their artwork. And yes, it is artwork. This artwork is ridiculed as are the people who display it on their shoulder, back, or wrist. Just like those Renaissance men, however, someday tattoos might be recognized as artwork.
Today, tattoos are deemed unprofessional in the work place, which is simply not fair. Tattoos should be regarded the same way a Dolce and Gabbana handbag is. When you carry around a designer bag, you are displaying the designer’s piece of art on your shoulder. Why can’t you do that with a tattoo artist’s ink on your shoulder? It’s the same thing. It’s self-expression except it’s a different type of self-expression, which, isn’t that what self-expression is anyway?
Tattoos will one day be more accepted as art rather than what they are accepted for today. But for now, just be tolerant to the person with the tattoo’s self-expression, the same way that they are tolerant of your own self-expression.