Like painters, sculptors and photographers, creating works of art is their profession. But instead of brushes or lenses, their tool of choice is a needle and their canvas is the human body.
Tattoo artists create masterpieces every day that live permanently on their clients. Their work demands they be inspired, and yet their talents as artists often are overlooked.
The Bangor Artwalk, hosted by the Downtown Bangor Arts Collaborative, will attempt to remedy that problem Friday as they feature three tattoo studios in downtown Bangor for their event.
Diversified Ink, Blind Faith Tattoo and Forecastle Tattoo will be open for visitors to view their artists’ work on Sept. 18 as part of the DBAC’s September Artwalk, which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m.
Examples of artwork will be displayed in the studios, from the beginning sketches of the process to photographs of the final product. By highlighting these studios, the DBAC hopes participants leave with a new approach to viewing the art of tattooing.
“Tattoo art is amazing, and it takes a lot of skill in order to do it,” Brian Monahan, president of the DBAC, said. “What we decided to do as a group is feature that element in this particular Artwalk. Our focus is to bring people in to celebrate those studios.”
The goal of the DBAC is to promote cultural awareness in Bangor through events such as the Bangor Artwalk. Since 2008, the free Friday night event, which takes place four times per year, has allowed participants to meet local artists and interact with their work. With nearly 30 artists featured at this event, the Bangor Artwalk celebrates the diversity of art and those who create it.
“It’s about the vibrancy of the arts scene in downtown Bangor. What better way to do that to get into the artists’ studios, talk to them and see what they’re working on?” Monahan said.
The DBAC also aims to connect Bangor with their creative community while challenging traditional notions associated with art.
“We want to show the diversity of the art of Bangor and help people break through that general stigma of tattoo art,” Monahan said. “The idea was to help people see it as something more than what they typically see it as. … It’s not your grandfather’s tattoo studio, where you walk in and pick a piece off the wall.”
Some of the art by the featured studios includes detailed portraits of clients’ loved ones, meticulously crafted calligraphy and pieces infused with color and intricate design. In addition to art, the studios help the community connect with other issues. Forecastle Studio recently took part in Project Semicolon and tattooed people with a small semicolon to raise awareness about stigmas surrounding mental illness and addiction. Diversified Ink will offer 18 complimentary pink ribbon tattoos to those affected by breast cancer on Oct. 13 in honor of breast cancer awareness month.
In addition to the artists, the artwalk will feature a community mural in Pocket Park next to Central Street Farmhouse for the community to contribute to. The Kindness Project’s street piano, a refurbished piece of art itself, also will be in the same location for anyone to play.
Other featured art includes work from Abbie Read on display at the Rock & Art Shop on Central Street, a selection of art from various artists from around the world at Mexicali Blues and a display at COESPACE on Columbia Street. Divisi, a contemporary choral group, will perform in West Market Square and throughout downtown Bangor during the event.
Maps of the Bangor Artwalk locations can be found at participating galleries, studios and businesses.
