The tattoo scene in Malta has evolved since 1991, when the late Bobby Wood was jailed for a month for opening a tattoo parlour, but negative attitudes persist, according to enthusiast Damian Allison.
“It is still legal for employers to discriminate against people with tattoos,” Mr Allison, 34, says. “One might argue that having visible tattoos is a decision one consciously makes. It is illegal to discriminate against one’s political affiliation, religion or relationship status and, like tattoos, these all boil down to a person’s choice.”
Mr Allison forms part of a pressure group, called Tattoos and Piercings Acceptance in Malta, and last year helped organise Malta’s first tattoo convention.
He is also organising ‘Tattoo Culture’, an evening entirely dedicated to tattoos, which will be held on Saturday at the University of Malta.
I dream that, one day, tattoos in Malta will be accepted purely as a form of art
Tattoos first made their appearance in Malta through British and American sailors and when Maltese men started working on oil rigs, Mr Allison says. Having a tattoo was then strongly associated with either criminals or sailors.
The art of tattooing slowly seeped into Maltese culture and, nowadays, although no statistics exist, tattoos are becoming increasingly popular.
“There are doctors, lawyers and even magistrates who have tattoos,” Mr Allison, who sports 12 tattoos of his own, says.
Unfortunately, when considering where to have tattoos on their body, the Maltese people still have to think in terms of what jobs they would like to pursue. The financial and educational sectors are still very stringent when it comes to tattoos and their visibility.
“My wife is a learning support assistant and she actually has more tattoos than me but she has to cover them up for work. Such sectors also don’t allow for artistic expression, such as dying your hair pink.
“When you think about it: what’s the difference between dying your hair pink or blonde? It doesn’t change your ability, your skills or your intellect – it just portrays an image of yourself.
“I dream that, one day, tattoos in Malta will be accepted purely as a form of art.” Policemen in Scandinavian countries, for instance, were heavily tattooed.
The art of tattooing has been around for eons: Ötzi the Iceman, found in the Otz valley in the Alps, had about 57 carbon tattoos on his 5,300 year-old Neolithic body.
A 2,500-year-old Siberian princess, dug from her permafrost burial chamber on the high Ukok Plateau in the Altai Mountains, was found to have intricate tattoos depicting fantastical animals.
Since 1991, several licensed tattoo parlours have sprouted across the island, all of which go to great lengths to ensure hygiene compliance, Mr Allison notes.
Tattoo artists are vaccinated against diseases, such as hepatitis, and have to ensure that their parlours comply with the necessary hygienic equipment, such as elbow or foot-operated sinks.
Tattoo styles have also evolved over the years due to higher quality ink and equipment, which allow for more intricate and elaborate designs.
“Tribal tattoos were initially in vogue when the tattoo scene started gaining traction in Malta. However, they have now fallen from popularity. Most tattoo artists will cringe if you ask for a tribal tattoo.”
Realistic tattoos have become immensely popular, depicting portraits or landscapes that mimic the fine detail of a photograph. Many tend to prefer doing these pieces in black and grey as the two tones provide significant depth to a tattoo.
Neo-traditional styling is also enjoying a surge in popularity. A modern day spin on the traditional style of tattooing, artists draw elements of the traditional style such as bold lines and an illustrative, “cartoon” quality.
An increasingly popular trend is watercolour and abstract tattooing, Mr Allison adds.
The ‘Tattoo Culture’, organised in collaboration with Evenings on Campus, will be held on Saturday at 9pm at the Atriju Vassalli, the University of Malta.