Many employers will refuse outright to have a tattooed worker on their payroll but one man has been working hard to help society slowly shift its attitude through a series of initiatives that include a three-day expo taking place this weekend.
As an ink enthusiast, Damian Allison, has been battling prejudices most of his life, as have many others who like him. But casual prejudice from the man in the street is one thing – discrimination at job interviews is another.
And it is this latter issue that led Damian to start taking a more active role in raising awareness about the topic, starting with the Facebook page Tattoos and Piercings Acceptance in Malta, which to date has over 3,500 members.
This culminated last year, when Damian launched the first edition of the Malta Tattoo Expo, which saw a few thousands visit the convention over one weekend.
“I had encountered a lot of scepticism last year, but we more than proved ourselves. This year, the expo enjoys the support of the Malta Tourism Authority and is also part of the programme of events being endorsed by Valletta 2018.”
From last year’s 29 tattoo artists, this year Damian is looking at over 60 Maltese and foreign artists. And music and visual arts play a stronger role, with a band line-up that includes electronic outfit Crux; hip-hop artist Digby; rockers Eversity and Colourblind; duos Kim and Chris and Cheryl and Ken and others. Beyond the Skin, the band that was created specifically for the expo last year, will also be staging a return.
There will also be artistic installations created by a number of tattoo artists as part of the Valletta 2018 programme.
But – despite its sharp increase in popularity during these past eight to 10 years – tattooing is far from viewed in a consistently positive light across the board, particularly on the workplace and even in day-to-day living. Damian’s wife works in the education sector; she is obliged to keep her tattoos covered at all times.
“The reason given is that authorities do not wish to influence children that having tattoos is the ‘norm’. But in today’s society, what is the norm? Should we really be pushing the idea of an elite sector of society members who conform to what is considered as the ‘average’?”
What is shocking is that his wife’s problems do not stop on the workplace, but extend to daily life.
“She’s had random strangers accosting her, asking why she decided to mark her body. People are even cheekier when she is accompanied by our young son; some have even asked her whether she has tattooed him as well, or whether she would consider it.”
People are even cheekier when she is accompanied by our young son
No tattoo artist will accept to tattoo a minor, not even with the parents’ written consent, as this is illegal and results in revocation of license.
He adds that there seems to be a clear divide about which professions are more accepting of tattoos and which aren’t.
“The creative sectors and the more modern professions, such as IT and design, tend to have no problem with employees showing body ink. But those who work in more traditional environments – banking, the hospitality industry and education spring to mind – are not as lucky.”
The Malta Tattoo Expo, which this year is supporting the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, is organised by Rejects.com.mt and takes place between tomorrow and Sunday at the InterContinental Hotel Malta, St Julian’s.
www.maltatattooexpo.com.mt/