Introduction – A Story Written on Skin

Tattooing has accompanied humanity for thousands of years. From the therapeutic lines etched into prehistoric bodies to the sacred symbols of Polynesia, from the grand narratives of Japanese irezumi to the classic Old School designs of sailors, every era has left its mark – a visual record of identity, protection, belonging and transformation.

Today, tattooing is a global language: a meeting point between tradition and contemporary art, between personal memory and creative expression. To explore its history is to understand why we continue to write on our skin the things we never want to forget.