Beyond the Epidermis: A practical investiagtion of how cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary influences may enrich contemporary tattooing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sunderland
Department Name: Sch of Arts and Design
Abstract
Tattooing is increasingly integrating into mainstream culture as a form of commercial art and design but appears to be out-dated in how it is perceived within the context of academia. While research on the discipline has been conducted from a historical and social sciences lens, there is an absence of practice based exploration into enrichment of the discipline. The proposed p[project would offer a unique opportunity to create original processes and outcomes with implications for both the studio collaborator and the wider tattoo industry, expanding demand and appreciation for the art form from a broader spectrum than the traditional audience.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Manny Ling (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Adam McDade (Student) |
| Title | Tattoo Journal |
| Description | Each tattoo that has been conducted from the duration of the researchers career as a tattooist - from apprentice to professional, has been locked in a document containing a date, description, tattoo number, and image. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | This artefact provides understanding of skill progression with tattooing as a medium. No other similar artefact has been published. Broader understanding may be generated on the career progression of a tattooist as a result of this artefact. |
| Description | Triplesix Studios - Research Partner Organisation |
| Organisation | Triplesix Studios |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The research is undertaken within Triplesix Studios; a tattoo studio in which the researcher is also a tattooist. The research aims to investigate the implementation of illustration and design methods cultivated from previous professional practice into tattooing practice, thus creating novel outcomes. As a result, Triplesix Studios have been able to offer alternative stylistic visual approaches to clients than they would previously have been able to offer. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The studio has enabled a professional context for this project to take place. It is essential to be embedded within the studio in order to authentically and meaningfully carry out the research. The studio have provided professional guidance and expertise in regards to practice, physical space in which practice has been conducted, and the necessary tools to complete the research. |
| Impact | All outcomes produced within this research project are directly linked to the partner organisation. Without Triplesix Studios agreeing to be a partner organisation, the research would not be able to be conducted. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | 'Giving Form to the Intangible: Meaning and Transformation in Tattooing' - Article for Tattoo Themed Platform, 'Tattoodo'. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Based upon professional practice conducted as part of the PhD research, an article was written surrounding tattooing being adopted for purposes beyond the visual exclusively. The article was published by the popular platform, 'Tattoodo'; an international website and application that engages with both practitioners and enthusiasts. The article was shared via Tattoodo's social media channels, resulting in exposure of the content to the broader public additionally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.tattoodo.com/a/giving-form-to-the-intangible-meaning-and-transformation-in-tattooing-145... |
| Description | 'There's more to tattooing than just tattooing: A practitioner perspective'. Presentation of research at Rumah Sanur Creative Hub, Bali, Indonesia. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A presentation of the research conducted to date was given at Rumah Sanur Creative Hub, Bali, Indonesia. The presentation was part of the hubs 'LOTS: Learn Of Things and Sharing' programme, in which practitioners, academics, and experts in their respective areas informally disseminate their research/work to a varied audience, including the general public. As the presentation was given in the English language while on an Indonesian island, it was important to ensure that the pace of delivery and content where suited to a non-native speaking audience. This honed skills of accessible dissemination of findings, and assisted in broadening professional networks. The presentation lasted around 30 minutes, followed by a question and answer session from members of the audience. Challenges where made to some of the assertions brought up in the presentation by an anthropology professor from the USA, which where successfully defended, however served as an indicator that further clarification to some areas of the research are needed. Following the presentation, networking with local Indonesian creatives (architects, graphic designers, illustrators) was made possible, resulting in a broader engagement with the research that was disseminated. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://adammcdade.weebly.com/beyond-the-epidermis/research-trip-report-bali-january-2020 |
| Description | 1-Hour lecture given as part of the 'Creative Lives' lecture series, at the University of Sunderland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A 1-hour lecture of the research was given as part of the 'Creative Lives' lecture series, surrounding professional practice. Content was delivered on the research, focussing on the multifaceted role of the tattooist, which was presented through slides of practice, and autoethnographic writings generated from practice. The audience ranged from academics, including Sunderland university head of school of Art and creative industries, to members of the general public interested in tattooing. Presentation skills where practiced and refined, increasing personal confidence. Questions where asked following the talk by the audience, who where able to better understand the otherwise underrepresented area of research that was presented. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | 1-Hour lecture given to M.A. Design students at The University of Sunderland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | During the course of the PhD research, 1-hour lectures have been given to MA design students about my personal academic and professional background, my current research, and the relationship between the two. The audiences for the talks have been around 25 - 35 in number, and in the second stage of their three-stage masters degree. Delivery of the lectures has allowed practice in communicating the research from an early stage. Students asked questions surrounding the transition of MA to PhD, and advice was given on generating a topic and writing a proposal, enabling those considering further study to be able to cater their MA work to be developed further into PhD research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | 30-Minute Talk given as part of Saybrook University Punch Bowl Salon, in Los Angeles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Thanks to funding that was generously granted through Northern Bridge as part of the RTSG fund, a research trip to Los Angeles and New York was undertaken in February, 2019. An invitation was given by professor Stanley Krippner (formerly of Saybrook University) to deliver a talk on the research conducted to date to an audience of Saybrook staff, alumni, students, and members of the general public interested in tattooing practices. The talk lasted around 30 minutes and was given to an audience of around 20 people, from varied disciplines. Following the talk, a Q and A session was held, leading to potential for further potential interdisciplinary collaborative projects to take place. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Interview for BBC Radio Newcastle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | An interview surrounding the research activity related to project, 'Beyond the Epidermis' was held by BBC Newcastle, with radio host, Russell Ward. Discussion was centred upon the process of tattoo production, tattooing in contemporary Western society, and the role of the tattooist - all of which are themes that are directly related to the project aims and objectives. The interview was aired on 24/04/19, presented by host, Lisa Shaw on the morning programme. The content was thus disseminated to a regional audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Media coverage of research from University website and local and regional newspapers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | An interview was held for the University of Sunderland's news page regarding the research to date, on 25/03/2019. The purpose was to discuss current findings that have been generated from the research so far, and to open up a dialogue regarding tattooing practices to the audience of the content. The article was published in April 2019, being picked up from the University website by Sunderland based Newspaper, 'The Sunderland Echo', and Darlington based newspaper, 'The Northern Echo', thus increasing exposure to the content. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/student-case-studies/creative-arts/adam-mcdade/ |