Wanted
Of the many hundreds of Faroese men who went to sea in 1950s, 60s and 70s, several returned with at least one tattoo. Today our bodily expressions have gone haywire. Many people have chosen to adorn their bodies with ink. In this context, the sea also plays a special role. The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands is now investigating the association between tattoos and the sea and encourages you to send us photos of your marine tattoos.

Historically
In the post-war period, the Nordic countries looked down on tattoos. The ink was associated with amorality and crime. But, for several seaman, tattoos were part of their identity. There were even some motifs that they had to earn. For example, you were not worthy of an anchor until you had sailed across the Atlantic.

Today
In the 1990s, tattoos became hugely popular with young people, and today many people have one or more tattoos. According to a Norwegian study from 2013, one in seven people was tattooed. Today the number is even higher. Several of the tattoos created today are based on traditional sailor tattoos and the sea. Motifs of anchors, helms and ships are much in demand. Octopuses and compasses are also popular.

Send us a photo of your tattoo
The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands will cast a spotlight on these sea-related body decorations by collecting photos of the tattoos. We will print the photo of your tattoo and exhibit it on a wall of photos. The aim of the wall is to show the relevance of the sea today and how it is a widespread visual phenomenon that colours our era – and bodies.

What to do:

1.     Take a photo of the tattoo (close up!)

2.     Send your photo to info@art.fo

We will print the photo and display it on a wall of photos in the arrival area of the museum. The tattoos will be exhibited anonymously.

Anyone who sends a photo or photos of sea-related tattoos will be given free admission to the museum.