A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Squid Ink

This outstanding cephalopod tattoo was sent in by Margaj, who had the tattoo done by Ania from Szerytattoo in Warsaw.  The style is fantastic, with the abstract elements almost making the octopus appear as an ink blot.  It gives motion to an animal that is rarely ever seen at rest, while also giving the impression that the octopus is underwater, without explicitly drawing the water in the form of waves.

Comments

84 responses to “Squid Ink”

  1. Adhara Avatar
    Adhara

    I love this style.

  2. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Ania also tattoos in the US in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 3062: http://www.thirtysixtytwo.com/

  3. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Ania also tattoos in the US in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 3062: http://www.thirtysixtytwo.com/

  4. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Ania also tattoos in the US in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 3062: http://www.thirtysixtytwo.com/

  5. ugly cat Avatar
    ugly cat

    so beautiful…. i’m in love with it

  6. ugly cat Avatar
    ugly cat

    so beautiful…. i’m in love with it

  7. ugly cat Avatar
    ugly cat

    so beautiful…. i’m in love with it

  8. chez Avatar
    chez

    I’d like to see a better picture of this tattoo. It looks like it *could* be really awesome but some of the gradient in the black looks accidental and sloppy. I could be wrong though, it’s hard to tell in this photo. Awesome style though. I love the abstract work that’s becoming more popular these days.

  9. chez Avatar
    chez

    I’d like to see a better picture of this tattoo. It looks like it *could* be really awesome but some of the gradient in the black looks accidental and sloppy. I could be wrong though, it’s hard to tell in this photo. Awesome style though. I love the abstract work that’s becoming more popular these days.

  10. chez Avatar
    chez

    I’d like to see a better picture of this tattoo. It looks like it *could* be really awesome but some of the gradient in the black looks accidental and sloppy. I could be wrong though, it’s hard to tell in this photo. Awesome style though. I love the abstract work that’s becoming more popular these days.

  11. jason Avatar
    jason

    too much going on…i love abstract art and the lack of contonuity in larger tattoo pieces, but this one seems forced, i’dlike to see it finished.

  12. jason Avatar
    jason

    too much going on…i love abstract art and the lack of contonuity in larger tattoo pieces, but this one seems forced, i’dlike to see it finished.

  13. jason Avatar
    jason

    too much going on…i love abstract art and the lack of contonuity in larger tattoo pieces, but this one seems forced, i’dlike to see it finished.

  14. M2 Avatar
    M2

    At first I thought it would say that the tattoo is made of octopus ink. I wonder if that would be possible?

  15. M2 Avatar
    M2

    At first I thought it would say that the tattoo is made of octopus ink. I wonder if that would be possible?

  16. M2 Avatar
    M2

    At first I thought it would say that the tattoo is made of octopus ink. I wonder if that would be possible?

  17. Adhara Avatar
    Adhara

    @megan – thank you for the link. wow I love her gallery.

  18. Adhara Avatar
    Adhara

    @megan – thank you for the link. wow I love her gallery.

  19. Adhara Avatar
    Adhara

    @megan – thank you for the link. wow I love her gallery.

  20. NickFriederich Avatar
    NickFriederich

    I guess im not looking at it right. The general consensus seems to be everyone in love with it.
    To me it seems poorly executed. Cool idea, who doesn’t love squid/octopuses, but technically it looks like the tattoo was done very poorly. Looks like a bunch of blown out lines and poor shading to me.
    But each to their own!

  21. NickFriederich Avatar
    NickFriederich

    I guess im not looking at it right. The general consensus seems to be everyone in love with it.
    To me it seems poorly executed. Cool idea, who doesn’t love squid/octopuses, but technically it looks like the tattoo was done very poorly. Looks like a bunch of blown out lines and poor shading to me.
    But each to their own!

  22. NickFriederich Avatar
    NickFriederich

    I guess im not looking at it right. The general consensus seems to be everyone in love with it.
    To me it seems poorly executed. Cool idea, who doesn’t love squid/octopuses, but technically it looks like the tattoo was done very poorly. Looks like a bunch of blown out lines and poor shading to me.
    But each to their own!

  23. rawr Avatar
    rawr

    aawww im kinda disappointed.
    the tat’s awesome but i saw the title so i totally thought it was gonna be something about using squid ink for a tattoo. i’ve always wandered if that was possible

  24. rawr Avatar
    rawr

    aawww im kinda disappointed.
    the tat’s awesome but i saw the title so i totally thought it was gonna be something about using squid ink for a tattoo. i’ve always wandered if that was possible

  25. rawr Avatar
    rawr

    aawww im kinda disappointed.
    the tat’s awesome but i saw the title so i totally thought it was gonna be something about using squid ink for a tattoo. i’ve always wandered if that was possible

  26. Guilt of Eve Avatar

    This is fantastic, beautifully done, great composition and a great take on commonly done subject matter.

  27. Guilt of Eve Avatar

    This is fantastic, beautifully done, great composition and a great take on commonly done subject matter.

  28. Guilt of Eve Avatar

    This is fantastic, beautifully done, great composition and a great take on commonly done subject matter.

  29. ania Avatar
    ania

    hello. thank you all for all comments on my work, and i mean all..;). i admit its not the most fortunate photograph of this particular tattoo (you can see it better at the http://www.thirtysixtytwo.com), but magda, thanx for posting in on one my fav blogs!
    all of you interested in getting work done by me, i work in warsaw at the szerytattoo, but i do travel a lot to various places and here is my current travel info:
    15-16/01/11 – http://www.tattoofreeze.com/. contact me to book an appointment at the convention.
    17-19/01/11 -http://www.mantratattoo.com/. still a couple of openings left.

  30. ania Avatar
    ania

    hello. thank you all for all comments on my work, and i mean all..;). i admit its not the most fortunate photograph of this particular tattoo (you can see it better at the http://www.thirtysixtytwo.com), but magda, thanx for posting in on one my fav blogs!
    all of you interested in getting work done by me, i work in warsaw at the szerytattoo, but i do travel a lot to various places and here is my current travel info:
    15-16/01/11 – http://www.tattoofreeze.com/. contact me to book an appointment at the convention.
    17-19/01/11 -http://www.mantratattoo.com/. still a couple of openings left.

  31. ania Avatar
    ania

    hello. thank you all for all comments on my work, and i mean all..;). i admit its not the most fortunate photograph of this particular tattoo (you can see it better at the http://www.thirtysixtytwo.com), but magda, thanx for posting in on one my fav blogs!
    all of you interested in getting work done by me, i work in warsaw at the szerytattoo, but i do travel a lot to various places and here is my current travel info:
    15-16/01/11 – http://www.tattoofreeze.com/. contact me to book an appointment at the convention.
    17-19/01/11 -http://www.mantratattoo.com/. still a couple of openings left.

  32. Margaj Avatar

    Hi everyone.
    It wasn’t me who posted my octopus on the blog – someone must saw that in my picture gallery ;).
    Tattoo is not healed yet, so I’m glad that people likes it anyway. The picture is really, really bad, but the tattoo is so wonderful that I had to share it! Sorry Ania 🙂

  33. Margaj Avatar

    Hi everyone.
    It wasn’t me who posted my octopus on the blog – someone must saw that in my picture gallery ;).
    Tattoo is not healed yet, so I’m glad that people likes it anyway. The picture is really, really bad, but the tattoo is so wonderful that I had to share it! Sorry Ania 🙂

  34. Margaj Avatar

    Hi everyone.
    It wasn’t me who posted my octopus on the blog – someone must saw that in my picture gallery ;).
    Tattoo is not healed yet, so I’m glad that people likes it anyway. The picture is really, really bad, but the tattoo is so wonderful that I had to share it! Sorry Ania 🙂

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop
  • Rachel Larratt 1980-2022
    Unfortunately, when we lost some of the ModBlog content, it included the post about Rachel’s passing. (Original Post) Rachel passed away on June 22, 2022. She died in her sleep. Even now, it’s extremely difficult to write this post. Rachel meant so much to so… Read more: Rachel Larratt 1980-2022