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.

Nick’s Facial Work Continues

Updating you on NYC’s most tattooed architect’s facial tattoo work, here’s the latest photo of Nick‘s striking facial work by Tattoo Joe at Physical Grafitti in Bridgeport, CT. I love where this project is going, and it’s a real gift to be able to watch people undergoing this sort of transition.

Edit/update: Read comment #22 for some background on Nick.

Comments

120 responses to “Nick’s Facial Work Continues”

  1. Badine Avatar
    Badine

    I personally think modified cops is a brilliant idea. No one would expect a modified person to be a cop which would make them great candidates for being an under-cover cop.

    I think the facial tattoo is very pretty. And props to you for being able to have a good career and be visibly modified. Sadly I cant get a facial tattoo get because I want to spend some time working with special needs kids and the parents probably would have a hard time getting past facial tattoos.

    Nicks and Shannon probably have some of the nicest facial tattoos I have ever seen!

  2. Badine Avatar
    Badine

    I personally think modified cops is a brilliant idea. No one would expect a modified person to be a cop which would make them great candidates for being an under-cover cop.

    I think the facial tattoo is very pretty. And props to you for being able to have a good career and be visibly modified. Sadly I cant get a facial tattoo get because I want to spend some time working with special needs kids and the parents probably would have a hard time getting past facial tattoos.

    Nicks and Shannon probably have some of the nicest facial tattoos I have ever seen!

  3. Jon P Avatar

    If anyone’s interested in this ‘style’ of facial tattooing, you should definitely have a look at where it all came from, which is the ta moko kanohi of the Maori people.

    A lot of good portraits were painted by Charles Frederick Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer of chiefly Maori individuals in the 1800s, and if you read books like ‘Ta Moko’ by David Simmons or the recently published (and probably the best book on the subject yet) ‘Mau Moko’ by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, you’ll end up being able to read the moko kanohi on the faces of the portraits, because they’re photo-realistic paintings.

    But having said so, don’t copy the ta moko from the portraits. It is offensive and spiritually an unforgivable act because the information contained in those moko are individual and whanau specific and in some cases descended from the gods.

  4. Jon P Avatar

    If anyone’s interested in this ‘style’ of facial tattooing, you should definitely have a look at where it all came from, which is the ta moko kanohi of the Maori people.

    A lot of good portraits were painted by Charles Frederick Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer of chiefly Maori individuals in the 1800s, and if you read books like ‘Ta Moko’ by David Simmons or the recently published (and probably the best book on the subject yet) ‘Mau Moko’ by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, you’ll end up being able to read the moko kanohi on the faces of the portraits, because they’re photo-realistic paintings.

    But having said so, don’t copy the ta moko from the portraits. It is offensive and spiritually an unforgivable act because the information contained in those moko are individual and whanau specific and in some cases descended from the gods.

  5. Archetype Avatar

    So, Shannon… first he’s a cop, and now he’s an architect?

    He’s got mad skillz.

  6. Archetype Avatar

    So, Shannon… first he’s a cop, and now he’s an architect?

    He’s got mad skillz.

  7. Caitlin Avatar

    Jon’s off again 😉

  8. Caitlin Avatar

    Jon’s off again 😉

  9. oniana Avatar

    nick this is looking very lovely. why not take the bands on the top part all the way around your head?

  10. oniana Avatar

    nick this is looking very lovely. why not take the bands on the top part all the way around your head?

  11. Preston Avatar
    Preston

    I love how the part on his nose wraps around his plug

  12. Preston Avatar
    Preston

    I love how the part on his nose wraps around his plug

  13. mana Avatar

    i totally love how it has turned out. it is by far the most beautiful facial tattoo i have seen.

    i’d love to see how nick looks when he’s smiling!!

  14. mana Avatar

    i totally love how it has turned out. it is by far the most beautiful facial tattoo i have seen.

    i’d love to see how nick looks when he’s smiling!!

  15. Jon P Avatar

    I suspent that Joe wouldn’t want to deviate too far from the inspiration for this tattoo, so the bands will probably stay as is cos in Maori tattooing they don’t go in past the hairline usually!

  16. Jon P Avatar

    I suspent that Joe wouldn’t want to deviate too far from the inspiration for this tattoo, so the bands will probably stay as is cos in Maori tattooing they don’t go in past the hairline usually!

  17. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Love the work, love the ‘carpe diem’ attitude. LOVE that this is someone with a mainstream job making a great living and is accepted for who he is, ink and all. 🙂

  18. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Love the work, love the ‘carpe diem’ attitude. LOVE that this is someone with a mainstream job making a great living and is accepted for who he is, ink and all. 🙂

  19. Aaron in Vancouver Avatar

    Hey Nick. Holy christ you’ve gone and done it. Good on you. Funny I remember “photoshopping” the plugs into your nose a few years ago and you went and got those done too. You look splendid. Keeping up with the music as well.

    Success is written all over your face.

  20. Aaron in Vancouver Avatar

    Hey Nick. Holy christ you’ve gone and done it. Good on you. Funny I remember “photoshopping” the plugs into your nose a few years ago and you went and got those done too. You look splendid. Keeping up with the music as well.

    Success is written all over your face.

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