Art Therapy & Tattoos

Beyond the Canvas: Tattoos, Healing and Art Therapy
Abstract
This paper describes a qualitative study of art therapists and tattoos artists regarding
tattoos and healing. It provides information on whether tattoos serve a therapeutic effect and
assist individuals to explore issues of self-identity. The researcher attempted to address the
function of tattoos and whether there is a connection between healing and the motivations
underlying tattoos of clients, and the connection to cultural symbolism.
There are many misconceptions, stigmas and myths associated with individuals who have
tattoos. Tattoos are no longer defined as only belonging to members of subcultures and those
considered socially marginal. Although tattoos are becoming more common in society,
stereotypes about individuals with tattoos still exist, (Horne, Knox, Zusman, & Zusman, 2007).
In the last 20 years there has been an increase in the number of women who have obtained
tattoos (Manuel & Sheehan, 2007). Tattoos cross boundaries of gender, socioeconomic status,
race, and ethnicity. Dichotomies of the private and public, universal and specific, concealing and
revealing, impulsive and planned, pain and pleasure, are part of the cultural terrain of tattoos.
(Johnson, 2006, Madfis & Arford, 2013). Their meanings may range from rebellion, self-
assertion, self-identification and group membership, to commemoration, remembrance,
acceptance of a disability, and expression of the spiritual (Johnson, 2006).
This study is important to art therapists because the profession addresses the full range of
symbolic representation in art. Because tattoos can be a means of self-reclamation and
autobiography they often tell stories about the self that can be incorporated into therapeutic
sessions. Often, individuals may find it easier to discuss external images than internal dynamics.
This may allow a therapist to engage in discussions of personal narratives earlier with a client
who has tattoos compared to clients who do not have tattoos. Communication and knowledge of
clients’ needs must be addressed within the therapeutic relationships. Discussing tattoos may
open the door to personal narratives and along with it cautions that disclosure may occur before
therapeutic trust is developed (Johnson, 2006, Madfis & Arford, 2013). One of the major themes
that emerged in the study was choosing a tattoo or transforming an existing tattoo enabled clients
to change a negative experience into a positive experience. Data revealed that tattoos helped to
avoid feelings of self-mutilation or suicide ideation. It suggests that art therapists can play a
significant role in exploring the transformation of clients’ existing tattoos, helping the client
reclaim body awareness by creating sketches that include words and images in a session on paper
and using the existing tattoo as a narrative in the therapeutic session.
Of particular interest that emerged in the literature is the “self-help tattoo” and the
relationship to the “do it yourself culture” exemplified by the predominance of “selfies.”
Tattoos can be a means of self-reclamation and autobiography and allow individuals to discuss
external images before they can realize their internal dynamics. Art therapists may be challenged
to address their client’s expectation of their tattoos beyond symbolic imagery (Johnson, 2006,
Madfis & Arford, 2013).
Art therapists can benefit from an understanding of tattoos as both a personal and cultural
means of expression and healing. We live in an era where indirect communication is common
and the relationship to others are less permanent. In a society where ambivalence is becoming
common, it is interesting that individuals are deciding to create permanent imagery on their body
to make a personal statement (Larson, Knox, Patterson, & Markham, 2014). Ideas for utilizing
tattoos in art therapy sessions will be discussed.

References
Horne, J., Knox, D., Zusman, M. (2007). Tattoos and Piercings: Attitudes, Behaviors, and
Interpretations of College Students. College Student Journal, 41, 1011-1020.
Johnson, F. (2006). Tattooing: Mind, body and spirit. The inner essence of the art.
Sociological Viewpoints, 23, 45-61.
Larson, G. Knox, Patterson, M. & Markham, L. (2014). A deviant art: Tattoo-related
stigma in an era of commodification. Psychology and Marketing, 13(8), 670-681.
Madfis, E. & Arford, T. (2013). The dilemmas of embodied symbolic representation:
Regret in contemporary American tattoo narratives. The Social Science Journal,
50, 547-556.
Manuel, L., Sheehan, E. (2007). Getting Inked: Tattoos and College Students. College
Student Journal. 41, 1089-1097.

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Beyond the Canvas: Tattoos, Healing and Art Therapy

underlying tattoos of clients, and the connection to cultural symbolism.

assertion, self-identification and group membership, to commemoration, remembrance,

acceptance of a disability, and expression of the spiritual (Johnson, 2006).

symbolic representation in art. Because tattoos can be a means of self-reclamation and

and using the existing tattoo as a narrative in the therapeutic session.

relationship to the “do it yourself culture” exemplified by the predominance of “selfies.”

Madfis & Arford, 2013).

tattoos in art therapy sessions will be discussed.

Interpretations of College Students. College Student Journal, 41, 1011-1020.

Sociological Viewpoints, 23, 45-61.

Larson, G. Knox, Patterson, M. & Markham, L. (2014). A deviant art: Tattoo-related

stigma in an era of commodification. Psychology and Marketing, 13(8), 670-681.

Madfis, E. & Arford, T. (2013). The dilemmas of embodied symbolic representation:

Regret in contemporary American tattoo narratives. The Social Science Journal,

Student Journal. 41, 1089-1097.

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