BME: Body Modification Ezine

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.

Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News, Events, and Culture

  • Nerdgasm

    Written by

    Rob

    Lolben knocks it out of the park with his combination Zelda/Dark Crystal torso.  Not only is this probably one of the biggest geek pieces I’ve seen, but it’s also really well done.  Hats off to Aaron Cooper from Staircase Tattoo in Santa Cruz, CA for this epic masterpiece.

  • Spiritual scarification

    Written by

    Rob

    It’s no secret that body modification can be a spiritual experience for people.  So it shouldn’t come as a shock to see spiritual symbols appearing in every form of modification.  Take this lotus/Om scarification by Jesse Villarreal.  To some people getting cut for a scarification piece is a way for them to feel a sense of transcendence.  The fact that this experience is coupled with a very spiritual image just makes it all the more significant.

  • Laying down roots

    Written by

    Rob

    I’ve got a couple of pieces from Sonja to share with you today.  Sonja’s distinctive dotwork style consistently results in amazing artwork.  Up until now we’ve mostly seen her art in geometric form.  Well to start things off here’s something a little more organic.

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    BMEtv – Paul Braniff

    Written by

    Rob

    Today’s BMEtv interview is with Paul Braniff from SkinFX on Australia’s Gold Coast.  Paul has been tattooing since 1977 and he chats with us about what it was like getting started back then, as well as his thoughts on tattoo culture today.

    To check out the video, you’ll have to keep on reading.

    If you’ve missed any of the videos so far, you can check out the rest of them in the BME World Tour Video Gallery

  • Home is where the scars are

    Written by

    Rob

    At first glance this appears to be an infinite sign, but according to scarification artist Jesse Villarreal this is the Cherokee symbol for “Home”.  Add this to the list of scars that I can’t wait to see as a follow-up.

    Jesse works at Main Street Tattoo and Body Piercing in Merced, CA

  • Seeing BMEBoys

    Written by

    Rob

    People sometimes give me flack because they think I always post BMEBoys and BMEGirls that are naked (or close to it).  Well Seeeingred here is fully clothed, and is still a handsome devil, so there goes that theory.

  • Back to Black

    Written by

    Rob

    I love you much
    It’s not enough
    You love blow and I love puff
    And life is like a pipe
    And I’m a tiny penny rolling up the walls inside

    We only said goodbye with words
    I died a hundred times
    You go back to her
    And I go back to black

    -Amy Winehouse – “Back to Black”

    It was only a matter of time before an Amy Winehouse tattoo appeared here after she passed away a few months ago.  I can’t say I’ve heard this particular song but whoever those legs belong to must have been a fan.

    This tattoo is by Lou Shaw from Murray Bridge Tattoo and Body Piercing in Murray Bridge, South Australia.

  • Oh Brad

    Written by

    Rob

    I’ll admit it, Lucass is one of my favorite image submitters.  The reason:  he’s always up for doing something fun with his mods.  I asked him a while back to send in pictures from his trip to Europe, and got this photo of the Eiffel tower in response.  Recently his friend Brad had a birthday, and this is what Lucass did for him that day.

    Now that’s a dedicated friend.

  • Temptation

    Written by

    Rob

    This is one of those photos where everything lines up just right.  The stars on the sides of her abdomen, the navel project, and even how her hands are making the shape of a heart, all contribute to the elegance in the photo.

    Artist: Patrick Murphy

    Location: Murray Bridge Tattoo and Body Piercing, Murray Bridge, South Australia.

  • Guess What?

    Written by

    Rob

    Alright, so this one will probably be an easy one for some people.  Although it could be tricky for others.

    Take a guess and then read on to see if you’re right.

    If you’ve ever seen photos from the hard galleries, this will probably be familiar to you.  Oftentimes when men opt for heavy genital modifications, nullification and penectomies being the main ones, urinating becomes a problem.  With this modification, the urethral reroute, they can continue work on their genitals and not have urination problems.

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    I picked this image in particular simply because it’s a great example of a clean, healed, reroute.