The newest exhibit at the Wellington County Museum and Archives, titled My Story, My Tattoo, opened to the public on Jan. 9.
This exhibit of photos, videos and audio recordings features the stories behind 30 Wellington County residents’ tattoos.
Bailey Allard of Glen Allan, one of the participants, tells her life story through her tattoos.
“My mom told me to keep a written journal of my life. I hate writing, so I decided that wherever I go or whatever happens to me during my life, I will get tattooed on myself,” Allard said. “My body will be my picture journal.”
Allard got her first tattoo at the age of 15. After pleading with her parents, her father consented to a simple butterfly tattoo done at Stigmata in Guelph. Undeterred by the pain involved, she obtained a second one a year later.
Allard passed out during the second tattooing but was not discouraged and continued to adorn her body with smaller tattoos over the years.
“I love coloured tattoos and have no black and whites. The more colour the better,” Allard explained.
“There are no skulls, weapons or anything distasteful in the collection I have. Those things don’t represent who I truly am.”
Before leaving for Taiwan to teach English as a second language, Allard and her mother got tattoos that identified with her travels abroad.
“Mom got a simple flower but mine was a little more detailed. Inside the tat on my arm is a blue fish that represents my brother and a pink fish for myself,” Allard said.
In Taiwan, Allard befriended a number of tattoo artists and was able to obtain additional tattoos by posing as a model at conventions for various tattoo artists.
It turned out to be a win-win situation for both parties as Allard got tattooed in exchange for her time and the tattoo artist had a model that not only advertised the finished product at the convention, but also outside of the event.
“I have been fortunate to travel to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and the United States,” Allard explained. “In each of these countries I have received a new tattoo. For me, these countries represent the best among tattoo artists. I prefer the vibrant colours showcased by artists from these countries.”
Unfortunately, Allard’s experience in Taiwan did not end on a positive note. A relationship she was in ended when she became ill from over-prescribed medications. After being released from a detox center, Allard had the day, month and year of her healing tattooed on her hand along with a bumblebee minus its stinger as a reminder not to be afraid of what life may bring. Across her fingers on both hands the words love and pain are inked. These word describe the emotions experienced during a relationship and after it fails.
With over 40 works of art on her body, Allard’s largest tattoo is a crane surrounded by small oriental pine trees. The trees symbolize wealth and fortune for families in the eastern countries she has visited. One unique feature of this rendering are the large amounts of shading done by the artist.
Allard suggests tattoos have helped her get past emotional and physical scars. Many of her family members and friends have suffered the devastating effects of breast cancer. To commemorate their battle a simple pink ribbon holds a prominent display space amongst Allard’s tattoos.
“I am very passionate about changing the stigma attached to tattoos. Once considered to be worn only by trashy people, the tattoo is becoming part of our culture and acceptable by the mainstream. To me it’s just sharing an original piece of art and an expression of who I am,” Allard said.
She has found a positive response to her body art in the community. She has not experienced anyone staring at her, nor has she been refused employment because of her decorated flesh.
Unsanitary needles, ink poisoning, expenses and the aging process are some issues viewed by the general public to be of concern when considering tattooing.
“My response to the issues around tats are that tattoo parlours are inspected on a regular basis and I have had no health issues associated with them. As I age I’m sure the colours will fade slightly but will always be visible,” she said.
“Yes, it is expensive but as I have been blessed by having many good friends in the industry and the exchange of tattoos for my time as a model at conventions, has worked well for me.”
Tattooing dates back thousands of years and has been used in defining lineage, tribal status, societal position and in identification. Currently the art is used in cosmetic makeovers, hair replacement, radiation treatments, animal identification and by forensic pathologists in identifying human bodies that are otherwise unrecognizable. Development of new technology has produced new inks and needles, allowing for more detailed art with finer lines. Glow in the dark and black light tattoos are recent trends in the industry.
Allard recommends anyone interested in getting a tattoo should:
– do their research and ask questions about health issues including health checks;
– find a tattoo artist whose art is suited to the desired tattoo;
– understand that there will be pain involved with the level depending on the person’s pain tolerance;
– follow instructions for care of the art as recommended by the tattoo artist; and
– be prepared to spend between $100 and $1,000 per hour depending on the size of the piece.
“I have no regrets about any of my tattoos. My dream tattoo would be a scene from the movie, Twister,” Allard said .
“In this scene two characters are running from a tornado. There is lightning and an old fashioned windmill in the backdrop. I am searching for the right artist, saving money and hope to have it completed in the next three years.”
The My Story, My Tattoo exhibit runs until March 27 at the Wellington County Museum and Archives on Wellington Road 18 between Elora and Fergus. Admission is by donation. For more information on the exhibit call the museum at 519-846-0916.
