The rich history of tattooing from its Polynesian origins to modern British culture.

The art of tattooing has a fascinating history that stretches back millennia, with particularly strong roots in our British maritime culture. The practise, as we know it in the UK, can be traced to James Cook’s Pacific voyages between 1768 and 1790, when his sailors encountered the rich tattooing traditions of islands such as Fiji and Samoa. In these regions people had been adorning their skin art with tribal designs for over two and a half thousand years, using primitive tools like pigs teeth and sharp sticks, along with ink made from charcoal and water.  They called this practice tatau and the designs often represent lineage or spiritual protection.

In the UK, the tattooing journey was rather tumultuous throughout the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The practice was largely frowned upon by society, even so far as to being outlawed by the church of England. Only sailors returning from distant ports would spawn new ink, bringing with them the design of galleons, sea birds and other maritime imagery. These traditional nautical tattoos often held deep meaning – crossed anchors on the hand-marked you as a ship's bosun, while a nautical star might celebrate 5,000 nautical miles at sea.

The evolution of tattooing technology mirrors this cultural journey. Early sailors used makeshift inks crafted from gunpowder, pigs' blood and even wine. The primitive sharp stick eventually gave way to electric machines, the forerunner of today's tattoo guns. A pivotal figure in this development was Norman Collins, better known as Sailor Jerry, who revolutionised the art form from the 1920s to the 1960s with his use of colour and new imagery.

The Far East played a crucial role in British tattoo culture, particularly through artists like Pinky Su in Hong Kong operating from 1926 to 1997. His studio became legendary among British military personnel, with his son Ricky later continuing the tradition through the 1970’s.

Then, in Aberdeen, the story takes an interesting turn. The late 1970s saw the opening of a studio on Hutcheon Street near the docks, where queues of eager customers would wait for their turn, a common sight until the mid-1990’s. By the millennium, the city boasted five studios including the pioneering Retro Rebels on George Street which combined goth culture with tattooing.

The contemporary tattoo scene has evolved dramatically from its maritime origin. The 1990s saw tattooing merge with alternative culture as punks traded their safety pins for piercings and full sleeve tattoos. This mainstreaming of tattoo culture was further championed by figures like David Beckham who helped normalise visible tattoos, including hand and neckpieces, making him one of the first public figures to showcase such prominent body art.

Today, tattooing has grown into a rich cultural phenomenon with conventions in cities like London, Manchester, Dublin and Newcastle celebrating this ancient art form. The practise has moved far beyond its seafaring origins to become a respected form of personal expression. We ought to remember the sailors who, through their journeys and shared knowledge over the past century, helped shape the vibrant tattoo culture we see today.