Artist Statement

Inspired by traditional tattoo flash and hyper-feminine aesthetics, I adore 40s and 50s pin-up girls, who have curated their own form of 'Monster Beauty' per Johanna Frueh. Exploring feminist theory, I am most interested in how women exist and interact with an often rigid idea of what it means to be feminine today. Rather than dissecting or reclaiming Pin-Up era imagery, I aim to propel femininity into a both/and realm, defying either/or stereotypes.

My work inhabits the crossroads of American Traditional tattoo flash and modern femininity. Using lithography, I create bold illustrations expressing the discomfort of being a woman in the tattoo industry. Stepping into installation, I like to explore the more abstract aspects of feminine beauty and the art of adornment and self expression through tattoos. Each piece I make focuses on a specific aspect of these broader themes. I enjoy taking the visual language of tattooing I am so familiar with, and putting it in uncomfortable positions, whether it’s blown up on a wall or twisting around a ceramic piece. The vibrant colors and intricate patterns in my work challenge the norms of traditional flash, which often relies on a limited color palette. Injecting humor into my creations, I emphasize these differences in playful and spontaneous ways while avidly rejecting the rigid rules of American Traditional Tattooing.

On a surface level, the bold colors and patterns offer a fresh perspective that recontextualizes a language steeped in tradition. Digging deeper, I aim to provoke tattoo artists and patrons to question the origins of American tattooing, a history marked by bigotry, intolerance, and sexism. My vision for the future is one of vivid pink and unapologetic femininity ushering in a new era of women artists within the tattoo industry.