Ahoy-hoy, ModBloggers! Hope your Saturday is treating you well. I’m just in and out at the moment, but I wanted to quickly share this gorgeous portrait of Dave‘s. It’s not of anyone in particular, but, as he explains:
I, like so many of our community members, have been totally fascinated with tribal cultures and their ideas of body art and beauty. In all simplicity this tattoo is my way of paying homage and showing people what body modification means to me and showing where my roots in this industry lay.
From a technical standpoint, I’m very curious to see how the huge amount of white holds up in the long term. I’ve got high hopes, though—I really love the look of this piece.
Enjoy your day, folks, and go on, gimme some fresh new eyes.
(Tattoo by Daniel Jones at Asylum Studios in Salem, Virginia.)
See more in “Portrait Tattoos“ (Tattoos)
Comments
128 responses to “The Only Difference is the Distance”
colors work well together
colors work well together
I absolutely love it.
I absolutely love it.
for some reason or onother I like it…
for some reason or onother I like it…
Hey, I wanted to say that.
Hey, I wanted to say that.
yikes. this is all sorts of wrong.
yikes. this is all sorts of wrong.
it’s a great piece! however, i don’t understand why people refer to body modifications as tribal. all that is doing is perpetuating racial stereotypes. take any african studies course (or any minority group for that matter) and open your eyes to the implications (direct or indirect) such terms can endorse. it simply does not do any justice for the ethnic groups it’s meant to portray.
it’s a great piece! however, i don’t understand why people refer to body modifications as tribal. all that is doing is perpetuating racial stereotypes. take any african studies course (or any minority group for that matter) and open your eyes to the implications (direct or indirect) such terms can endorse. it simply does not do any justice for the ethnic groups it’s meant to portray.
#3:
“showing people what body modification means to me”
It’s concerning his personal view here :]
And, you do understand why people refer to them as tribal, but you mean that they SHOULDN’T. Why people would think mods are tribal, is obvious…
#3:
“showing people what body modification means to me”
It’s concerning his personal view here :]
And, you do understand why people refer to them as tribal, but you mean that they SHOULDN’T. Why people would think mods are tribal, is obvious…
looove!
looove!
absolutely awesome. hopefully the white stays.
absolutely awesome. hopefully the white stays.
I, too, don’t think referring to this type of imagery as “tribal” or the body modification they practice as “tribal” either. Describing an indigenous culture as “tribal” merely denotes the way they organise socially, it’s not a way of describing cultures.
It’s fine and dandy to pay homage to a particular influence you’ve had. But if you only know the culture through textbooks and National Geographic documentaries, then you can’t really know the culture at all. Seeing an indigenous person’s stretched earlobes might have sparked your interest in body manipulation and what not, but that’s not what a culture is about. An having a portrait of an indigenous person on your body just smacks of the antiquated “noble savage” concept which all of us trained anthropologists cringe at.
The tattoo itself is cringe-worthy. It’s like a piece of tourist art you’d buy on your way through Africa or something.
I, too, don’t think referring to this type of imagery as “tribal” or the body modification they practice as “tribal” either. Describing an indigenous culture as “tribal” merely denotes the way they organise socially, it’s not a way of describing cultures.
It’s fine and dandy to pay homage to a particular influence you’ve had. But if you only know the culture through textbooks and National Geographic documentaries, then you can’t really know the culture at all. Seeing an indigenous person’s stretched earlobes might have sparked your interest in body manipulation and what not, but that’s not what a culture is about. An having a portrait of an indigenous person on your body just smacks of the antiquated “noble savage” concept which all of us trained anthropologists cringe at.
The tattoo itself is cringe-worthy. It’s like a piece of tourist art you’d buy on your way through Africa or something.
amazing~!
amazing~!
“I, like so many of our community members…” : )
and no, i don’t really understand why they would think mods as tribal. not all ethnic groups had such body modifications. in fact, a very small minority had such “exotic” features. i can’t see how referring to what you are doing with your body as something tribal, or of tribal origin, is in any way beneficial. if anything it can promote a negative view the general population may have towards the modded community and will not serve very well to foster its growth and acceptance. the term also carries misleading historical and cultural assumptions and most definitely blocks accurate views of african realities. using tribe (or tribal) does not contribute at all to understanding one’s identity.
“I, like so many of our community members…” : )
and no, i don’t really understand why they would think mods as tribal. not all ethnic groups had such body modifications. in fact, a very small minority had such “exotic” features. i can’t see how referring to what you are doing with your body as something tribal, or of tribal origin, is in any way beneficial. if anything it can promote a negative view the general population may have towards the modded community and will not serve very well to foster its growth and acceptance. the term also carries misleading historical and cultural assumptions and most definitely blocks accurate views of african realities. using tribe (or tribal) does not contribute at all to understanding one’s identity.
I’m totally diggin it.
Max: MANY cultures participated in body modification, some just little things, others a lot. But in no way would I say that a small minority participated in body modification. I don’t see how referring to body modification as being tribal in origin is not beneficial. Why does it have to be either? It’s good to know the history of something you love and enjoy. If that thing is body modification then it makes sense to look back at past cultures and see how it all started and what form it took. I don’t think it necessarily has anything to do with understanding your own identity, not unless you are of tribal decent. Also I think the fact that you think saying something is of tribal origin will some how hurt the modified community or alienate us even more is a bit sickening. If anything, I would think proving that body modification goes back a long way in history would make people see it less as a thing just for freaks or weirdos.
I’m totally diggin it.
Max: MANY cultures participated in body modification, some just little things, others a lot. But in no way would I say that a small minority participated in body modification. I don’t see how referring to body modification as being tribal in origin is not beneficial. Why does it have to be either? It’s good to know the history of something you love and enjoy. If that thing is body modification then it makes sense to look back at past cultures and see how it all started and what form it took. I don’t think it necessarily has anything to do with understanding your own identity, not unless you are of tribal decent. Also I think the fact that you think saying something is of tribal origin will some how hurt the modified community or alienate us even more is a bit sickening. If anything, I would think proving that body modification goes back a long way in history would make people see it less as a thing just for freaks or weirdos.
“Tribal decent”? Firstly, it’s descent. Secondly, you can’t be of tribal descent. “Tribal” doesn’t denote a particular ethnic group, it’s a descriptive term for the social structure of a particular ethnic group. Bod mod was never “tribal” in origin. It’s never been “tribal”. Some ethnicities have practiced body modification but that doesn’t make the practice “tribal”.
I despise the way Western societies call non-Western indigenous cultures “tribal”. It’s almost a derogatory term because of all the “primitive” and “non-advanced” connotations inherent in it.
“Tribal decent”? Firstly, it’s descent. Secondly, you can’t be of tribal descent. “Tribal” doesn’t denote a particular ethnic group, it’s a descriptive term for the social structure of a particular ethnic group. Bod mod was never “tribal” in origin. It’s never been “tribal”. Some ethnicities have practiced body modification but that doesn’t make the practice “tribal”.
I despise the way Western societies call non-Western indigenous cultures “tribal”. It’s almost a derogatory term because of all the “primitive” and “non-advanced” connotations inherent in it.
VOMIT:
i think we’re all arguing different things here. yes, i agree with you that many culture partake in it and that its not culturally specific but you’re missing my point.
anyways, i’m arguing about the social and cultural ramifications the word implies, the effects it has on any given societies (specifically those located on western hemisphere) perspective of ethnic groups of people; a perspective that is distorted. you are taking this too personally. i’m not going to bother continuing with what i have to say if it’s getting your pants in an emotional knot. all i was trying to say is that i did not think tribal, tribe, or any variation of it is a fitting word. i’ve done some research for professors on this, and was just trying to facilitate some kind of discussion on a topic that is very much imperative to african studies and the social sciences in general. if this is so “sickening” for you that you can’t separate your emotions from your thoughts then i will stop.
if you are going to reply with an emotionally-charged response shitting on this well respected academic topic… then don’t bother because my intentions were not to shit on yours. i simply questioned.
VOMIT:
i think we’re all arguing different things here. yes, i agree with you that many culture partake in it and that its not culturally specific but you’re missing my point.
anyways, i’m arguing about the social and cultural ramifications the word implies, the effects it has on any given societies (specifically those located on western hemisphere) perspective of ethnic groups of people; a perspective that is distorted. you are taking this too personally. i’m not going to bother continuing with what i have to say if it’s getting your pants in an emotional knot. all i was trying to say is that i did not think tribal, tribe, or any variation of it is a fitting word. i’ve done some research for professors on this, and was just trying to facilitate some kind of discussion on a topic that is very much imperative to african studies and the social sciences in general. if this is so “sickening” for you that you can’t separate your emotions from your thoughts then i will stop.
if you are going to reply with an emotionally-charged response shitting on this well respected academic topic… then don’t bother because my intentions were not to shit on yours. i simply questioned.
yeah, appropriate that shit!
yeah, appropriate that shit!
Well what I think is:
#1) Very beautiful piece. I honestly love it.
#2) Why are you arguing about someone’s mod? It’s not yours and not all people think alike, and never will. If they did, no one would have tattoos or piercings, or everyone would have the same ones as everyone else. This site is for the appreciation of the beauty of the mod it’s self, not to dog people for what they think or why they did the mod. Do you question the people that do self amputations? Okay then.
Stunning though and nicely done. I like how one of the plugs is missing.
Well what I think is:
#1) Very beautiful piece. I honestly love it.
#2) Why are you arguing about someone’s mod? It’s not yours and not all people think alike, and never will. If they did, no one would have tattoos or piercings, or everyone would have the same ones as everyone else. This site is for the appreciation of the beauty of the mod it’s self, not to dog people for what they think or why they did the mod. Do you question the people that do self amputations? Okay then.
Stunning though and nicely done. I like how one of the plugs is missing.
#12) If you read properly he is not questioning the modification but the terminology that seems to be commonly used among this community. Next time you all start ostracizing an individual, maybe you should try to actually THINK about what he is saying. Think critically and objectively as emotions cloud judgment and the credibility of your logic.
In terms of the piece itself, I think that it is simply beautiful. Very realistic with an interesting use of colors. I LIKE!
#12) If you read properly he is not questioning the modification but the terminology that seems to be commonly used among this community. Next time you all start ostracizing an individual, maybe you should try to actually THINK about what he is saying. Think critically and objectively as emotions cloud judgment and the credibility of your logic.
In terms of the piece itself, I think that it is simply beautiful. Very realistic with an interesting use of colors. I LIKE!
CHONG- i think the empty one is just a tunnel other wise it would sag instead of being nice n round
CHONG- i think the empty one is just a tunnel other wise it would sag instead of being nice n round
dave! dave! dave!
i told you. and this is gorgeous. as i said previously. blah max.
dave! dave! dave!
i told you. and this is gorgeous. as i said previously. blah max.
i have touched that leg.
i have touched that leg.
bob no one plug is missing. think about it if your years were 2″ since you were like 5 they would stay pretty well shaped with out plugs too. i trying hard to get an image of the original picture but my connection is very slow tonight. lol Aly. Nerd.
bob no one plug is missing. think about it if your years were 2″ since you were like 5 they would stay pretty well shaped with out plugs too. i trying hard to get an image of the original picture but my connection is very slow tonight. lol Aly. Nerd.
SURMA!!!! SOOO COOL! 🙂 I just did make up inspired by this tribe for my theatrical make up class in Uni. The tribe is also famous for their lip discs and stretched lobes. Dig it.
SURMA!!!! SOOO COOL! 🙂 I just did make up inspired by this tribe for my theatrical make up class in Uni. The tribe is also famous for their lip discs and stretched lobes. Dig it.
thats all kinds of ugly
thats all kinds of ugly
Jeeeeeeeesus maybe he’s just not a trained anthropolgist. Can’t say I know many who are! I agree that if you really feel it promotes negative connotations of these groups of people then by all means point it out and say nicely, hey, why not try using a different word? But if it’s something he feels moved by then I cannot see why it wouldn’t make a wonderful piece. Plus it’s awesomely executed.
Jeeeeeeeesus maybe he’s just not a trained anthropolgist. Can’t say I know many who are! I agree that if you really feel it promotes negative connotations of these groups of people then by all means point it out and say nicely, hey, why not try using a different word? But if it’s something he feels moved by then I cannot see why it wouldn’t make a wonderful piece. Plus it’s awesomely executed.