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.

Memorial Scarification

By Kellan in Portlan, Oregon, an ink rubbing of an initialled toe-tag rubbed with thir father’s ashes.

Comments

46 responses to “Memorial Scarification”

  1. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    That’s actually really touching. A little bit creepy, being rubbed with human ashes. But touching in a metaphorical way.

  2. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    That’s actually really touching. A little bit creepy, being rubbed with human ashes. But touching in a metaphorical way.

  3. snap Avatar
    snap

    I really like this piece and the thought behind it.
    On that note someone’s ashes aren’t really the ashes of their burnt flesh, the body melts down and the bones are broken up and the ash is a combination of what was burning the body and some bone dust

  4. snap Avatar
    snap

    I really like this piece and the thought behind it.
    On that note someone’s ashes aren’t really the ashes of their burnt flesh, the body melts down and the bones are broken up and the ash is a combination of what was burning the body and some bone dust

  5. kabakaraa Avatar
    kabakaraa

    Very nice.
    However, a good trim of the toenails would be even nicer, haha.

  6. kabakaraa Avatar
    kabakaraa

    Very nice.
    However, a good trim of the toenails would be even nicer, haha.

  7. Kelli Avatar
    Kelli

    That is…. very strange. But I like it.

  8. Kelli Avatar
    Kelli

    That is…. very strange. But I like it.

  9. MBL Avatar
    MBL

    Maaaaaaaaaan, is that morbid.

  10. MBL Avatar
    MBL

    Maaaaaaaaaan, is that morbid.

  11. beardyface Avatar

    Nice idea. A little bit of a shock, but then you realize the meaning behind it, and then it is an incredible piece. And it was well done.

  12. beardyface Avatar

    Nice idea. A little bit of a shock, but then you realize the meaning behind it, and then it is an incredible piece. And it was well done.

  13. emily Avatar
    emily

    i was creeped out badly enough when, in the 7th grade, i found out that the vial of something i couldnt quite figure out around my friends neck was in fact a vial of her grandfathers ashes. oh man that creeped me out. so… the fact that this toe-tag ink rubbing… ash rubbing?… is a humans ashes just makes my skin crawl.

    but overall, the sentiment is quite touching. its just the method of execution that rubs me the wrong way.

  14. emily Avatar
    emily

    i was creeped out badly enough when, in the 7th grade, i found out that the vial of something i couldnt quite figure out around my friends neck was in fact a vial of her grandfathers ashes. oh man that creeped me out. so… the fact that this toe-tag ink rubbing… ash rubbing?… is a humans ashes just makes my skin crawl.

    but overall, the sentiment is quite touching. its just the method of execution that rubs me the wrong way.

  15. brute Avatar

    i’m trying to think of a poignant way to say “i love it” but this will have to do.

  16. brute Avatar

    i’m trying to think of a poignant way to say “i love it” but this will have to do.

  17. AthenaVye Avatar
    AthenaVye

    That is by far one of the coolest ideas I’ve come across in a while! Completely leaves me in awe! Too bad my mom wants to be buried….

  18. AthenaVye Avatar
    AthenaVye

    That is by far one of the coolest ideas I’ve come across in a while! Completely leaves me in awe! Too bad my mom wants to be buried….

  19. adam Avatar

    about a year ago, i got a huge rib piece of some traditional americana roses in memory of my two little ferrets who had died, and i sprinkled some of their ashes in the ink before it was drilled into me. now they will be with me forever.

    it is actually my most meaningful and loved tattoo… it def helped me cope and move forward.

  20. adam Avatar

    about a year ago, i got a huge rib piece of some traditional americana roses in memory of my two little ferrets who had died, and i sprinkled some of their ashes in the ink before it was drilled into me. now they will be with me forever.

    it is actually my most meaningful and loved tattoo… it def helped me cope and move forward.

  21. Bec Avatar
    Bec

    I think it’s wonderful. Although if I tried that, my father would probably come back to life and kill me.

  22. Bec Avatar
    Bec

    I think it’s wonderful. Although if I tried that, my father would probably come back to life and kill me.

  23. Alice White Avatar

    That’s amazing! I would totally do something like that. My father’s family won’t allow us to have any of his ashes though 🙁

  24. Alice White Avatar

    That’s amazing! I would totally do something like that. My father’s family won’t allow us to have any of his ashes though 🙁

  25. Isa Avatar
    Isa

    Somebody needs a pedicure.

  26. Isa Avatar
    Isa

    Somebody needs a pedicure.

  27. Balles Avatar
    Balles

    To be fair, I think pedicures are gonna be just about the last thing on their mind right now.

  28. Balles Avatar
    Balles

    To be fair, I think pedicures are gonna be just about the last thing on their mind right now.

  29. SARAHPANIC Avatar

    i hate toenails.

  30. SARAHPANIC Avatar

    i hate toenails.

  31. mkb Avatar

    This reminds me of my all-time favorite tattoo experience on BME, entitled “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”.

    I wish I could find it.

  32. mkb Avatar

    This reminds me of my all-time favorite tattoo experience on BME, entitled “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”.

    I wish I could find it.

  33. Viking's Valkyrie Avatar

    Very cool. Very cool indeed.

  34. Viking's Valkyrie Avatar

    Very cool. Very cool indeed.

  35. Becca Avatar
    Becca

    its “portland” , not “portlan”.

  36. Becca Avatar
    Becca

    its “portland” , not “portlan”.

  37. Scarlett Avatar
    Scarlett

    Not freaky at all my friend had it done with is wife’s ashes – very cool and super special to have them with you all the time.

  38. Scarlett Avatar
    Scarlett

    Not freaky at all my friend had it done with is wife’s ashes – very cool and super special to have them with you all the time.

  39. ack! Avatar
    ack!

    1. I think that idea is great,
    (but I have to say this)…

    2. Cutting your toe-nails in a rounded way leads to verrrry bad ingrown toe-nails, your nails naturally just grow straight out so theyre going to want to end up in a sqaure like shape, and when you round them like that theyre going to try to grow back sqaure as always. That leads to two sharp corners of the nail growing deep into your skin..

    please people. dont round your toe-nails ;p

  40. ack! Avatar
    ack!

    1. I think that idea is great,
    (but I have to say this)…

    2. Cutting your toe-nails in a rounded way leads to verrrry bad ingrown toe-nails, your nails naturally just grow straight out so theyre going to want to end up in a sqaure like shape, and when you round them like that theyre going to try to grow back sqaure as always. That leads to two sharp corners of the nail growing deep into your skin..

    please people. dont round your toe-nails ;p

  41. Chaq Avatar
    Chaq

    It’s the huge bunion/wart thing on the side of the big toe that’s disturbing me.

  42. Chaq Avatar
    Chaq

    It’s the huge bunion/wart thing on the side of the big toe that’s disturbing me.

  43. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    I love it, but that is one icky foot.

  44. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    I love it, but that is one icky foot.

  45. gillian gamine Avatar

    i really like the idea and the execution.

  46. gillian gamine Avatar

    i really like the idea and the execution.

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