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.

Where should the line be drawn?

In follow-up to the conversation on in what context (if any) a “Hitler tattoo” is appropriate, Lane Jensen (iam:inksation) asks,

Does a shop have a moral obligation to turn away serial killer portraits the same way they turn away racist tattoos?

Mike Gibson at Dragon FX who did these Richard Ramirez (the Nightstalker) and Albert Fish portrait tattoos says, “no”.

Comments

268 responses to “Where should the line be drawn?”

  1. eros-demonic Avatar
    eros-demonic

    One of the up, and downsides about freedom of speech.

    You might disagree with someones choices in life. You might dislike who they are, and what they stand for. But to CENSOR them, is nasty.

    I don’t like the KKK. I don’t like racism, sexism, and I think MOST rapists and murders frankly deserve worse than they get. *there are aceptions to EVERY rule…Take, for example, “Dexter” from Showtime. He’s a serial killer. But he kills the right people…some respect in that. Old school justice.*.

    But it’s up to the individual artist to decide where there morals stand. And the individual who gets the tattoo.

    Some artists showcase shock art. They draw, paint, and display horrible things. Rape, murder, and so on. Paint, photo-manipulation, drawings, and so forth. Why should tattoo artists NOT create as they choose?

  2. eros-demonic Avatar
    eros-demonic

    One of the up, and downsides about freedom of speech.

    You might disagree with someones choices in life. You might dislike who they are, and what they stand for. But to CENSOR them, is nasty.

    I don’t like the KKK. I don’t like racism, sexism, and I think MOST rapists and murders frankly deserve worse than they get. *there are aceptions to EVERY rule…Take, for example, “Dexter” from Showtime. He’s a serial killer. But he kills the right people…some respect in that. Old school justice.*.

    But it’s up to the individual artist to decide where there morals stand. And the individual who gets the tattoo.

    Some artists showcase shock art. They draw, paint, and display horrible things. Rape, murder, and so on. Paint, photo-manipulation, drawings, and so forth. Why should tattoo artists NOT create as they choose?

  3. SinCityDave Avatar
    SinCityDave

    Albert Fish Died the day I was born! That piece of human refuse.

    And Ramirez was a little cowardly misguided punk. It’s a shame ANYONE would try to glorify his memory this way.

    Different strokes, folks.

    Off to Potter’s Field with the BOTH OF THEM. STAT!!!

  4. SinCityDave Avatar
    SinCityDave

    Albert Fish Died the day I was born! That piece of human refuse.

    And Ramirez was a little cowardly misguided punk. It’s a shame ANYONE would try to glorify his memory this way.

    Different strokes, folks.

    Off to Potter’s Field with the BOTH OF THEM. STAT!!!

  5. SinCityDave Avatar
    SinCityDave

    Albert Fish Died the day I was born! That piece of human refuse.

    And Ramirez was a little cowardly misguided punk. It’s a shame ANYONE would try to glorify his memory this way.

    Different strokes, folks.

    Off to Potter’s Field with the BOTH OF THEM. STAT!!!

  6. SinCityDave Avatar
    SinCityDave

    Albert Fish Died the day I was born! That piece of human refuse.

    And Ramirez was a little cowardly misguided punk. It’s a shame ANYONE would try to glorify his memory this way.

    Different strokes, folks.

    Off to Potter’s Field with the BOTH OF THEM. STAT!!!

  7. eatyrspleens Avatar
    eatyrspleens

    i can see how one would get upset, but you can’t automatically assume that they are in support of the killer’s actions.

    i’ve been thinking of getting a serial killer/true crime tattoo for awhile now, not because i support their actions (i do not condone the killing of any living species!), but just because i enjoy true crime in general. the subject matter and it’s impact on society and our culture is interesting.

  8. eatyrspleens Avatar
    eatyrspleens

    i can see how one would get upset, but you can’t automatically assume that they are in support of the killer’s actions.

    i’ve been thinking of getting a serial killer/true crime tattoo for awhile now, not because i support their actions (i do not condone the killing of any living species!), but just because i enjoy true crime in general. the subject matter and it’s impact on society and our culture is interesting.

  9. eatyrspleens Avatar
    eatyrspleens

    i can see how one would get upset, but you can’t automatically assume that they are in support of the killer’s actions.

    i’ve been thinking of getting a serial killer/true crime tattoo for awhile now, not because i support their actions (i do not condone the killing of any living species!), but just because i enjoy true crime in general. the subject matter and it’s impact on society and our culture is interesting.

  10. eatyrspleens Avatar
    eatyrspleens

    i can see how one would get upset, but you can’t automatically assume that they are in support of the killer’s actions.

    i’ve been thinking of getting a serial killer/true crime tattoo for awhile now, not because i support their actions (i do not condone the killing of any living species!), but just because i enjoy true crime in general. the subject matter and it’s impact on society and our culture is interesting.

  11. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I’m in school currently to become earn my specialty degree in Forensic Psychology, also known as Criminal Psychology. Is anyone here going to come out and tell me I’m not ‘allowed’ to get a sleeve of serial killers, the very men and women I am basing my career path and life choice of studying on just cause it might offend someone? Psh. My body, my tattoo, my choice. These are different than a swastica or Hitler because they are, and that’s relaly the only reason anyone needs.

  12. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I’m in school currently to become earn my specialty degree in Forensic Psychology, also known as Criminal Psychology. Is anyone here going to come out and tell me I’m not ‘allowed’ to get a sleeve of serial killers, the very men and women I am basing my career path and life choice of studying on just cause it might offend someone? Psh. My body, my tattoo, my choice. These are different than a swastica or Hitler because they are, and that’s relaly the only reason anyone needs.

  13. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I’m in school currently to become earn my specialty degree in Forensic Psychology, also known as Criminal Psychology. Is anyone here going to come out and tell me I’m not ‘allowed’ to get a sleeve of serial killers, the very men and women I am basing my career path and life choice of studying on just cause it might offend someone? Psh. My body, my tattoo, my choice. These are different than a swastica or Hitler because they are, and that’s relaly the only reason anyone needs.

  14. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I’m in school currently to become earn my specialty degree in Forensic Psychology, also known as Criminal Psychology. Is anyone here going to come out and tell me I’m not ‘allowed’ to get a sleeve of serial killers, the very men and women I am basing my career path and life choice of studying on just cause it might offend someone? Psh. My body, my tattoo, my choice. These are different than a swastica or Hitler because they are, and that’s relaly the only reason anyone needs.

  15. criticalbob Avatar
    criticalbob

    i guess it is a microcosm of anything else.
    ask this question…john q public sports his albert fish tattoo..great, is my hitler tattoo going to get me kicked off of iam?

  16. criticalbob Avatar
    criticalbob

    i guess it is a microcosm of anything else.
    ask this question…john q public sports his albert fish tattoo..great, is my hitler tattoo going to get me kicked off of iam?

  17. criticalbob Avatar
    criticalbob

    i guess it is a microcosm of anything else.
    ask this question…john q public sports his albert fish tattoo..great, is my hitler tattoo going to get me kicked off of iam?

  18. criticalbob Avatar
    criticalbob

    i guess it is a microcosm of anything else.
    ask this question…john q public sports his albert fish tattoo..great, is my hitler tattoo going to get me kicked off of iam?

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