Storytelling with Tattoos
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About This Project
A tattoo can be art, a memory, or a symbol that tells a story. Tattoos have been popular with sailors for hundreds of years. The US Naval Institute describes how sailors in the US Navy and Merchant Marines would "earn their ink," but the tradition of storytelling tattoos dates back even farther than the US Navy. Tattoos were so popular with sailors during the wars of the 20th century that most major ports have had tattoo artists, each with their own menu of sailor-inspired art called a flash sheet. In this project, we'll look at one such flash sheet owned by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. We'll observe the patterns and images in the flash sheet, reflect on the stories they tell and what stories we might want to tell about our own lives, then create our own tattoo-inspired drawings. Image Credits Unidentified, Tattoo Flash, 20th century, pen and colored ink on cardboard, 8 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (20.5 x 25.8 cm) irregular, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.50C Unidentified, Tattoo Flash, 20th century, pen and colored ink on cardboard, 8 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (20.5 x 25.8 cm) irregular, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.50F
Steps
Observe
Look closely at the flash sheet image. What do you notice about the style of the tattoos? Most sailor-inspired tattoos of the twentieth century used bold black outlines, simple shapes, and a few strong colors so the design was clear and easy to recognize. Sailors also typically only had a few hours or days in any one port. These simple designs were quick and easy to tattoo, unlike many elaborate tattoo designs you may see today. The Smithsonian does not know the specific year these flash sheets were drawn. Based on imagery like crossed U.S. and French flags and an airplane propeller, they seem to fit best in the early-to-mid 1900s, when many sailors served during the World Wars. (This is a best-guess based on symbols, not a confirmed date.) Roses and swallows were popular symbols on tattoos. Swallows are birds that travel far and return home. According to the US Naval Institute, sailors used swallow tattoos to represent long journeys and the hope of a safe return. Sailors would earn one swallow for every 5000 nautical miles traveled. Other tattoos symbolized crossing the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, crossing the equator, or rounding the Horn of Africa. Roses are another classic symbol that often stand for love, beauty, or someone you care about but left behind on land. They could be customized with a favorite color or banner.
Reflect
What other symbols do you see in the tattoos? What do you think they mean? Do you know anyone that has similar symbols tattooed on their body? Why are these symbols special to them? A swallow is known for traveling and returning home again. It can be a symbol of hope, freedom, and homecoming. If you were away from home for a long time, what symbol would you choose to remind you of home? Roses can mean many things to different people. What might a rose tattoo mean to you?
Create: Design your own tattoo flash sheet
Use one or two symbols inspired by this historical flash sheet and some symbols from your own life to make your own flash sheet. Symbols you might include could be birds, flowers, anchors, stars, hearts, a state outline, a pet, a favorite food, or more. Be creative! Start by drawing simple shapes. Sketch each design in pencil, then use a marker to add bold outlines. For a more historical look, keep your color pallette simple. Black, red, blue, and green are the only colors used on this historical flash sheet. Experiment with banners. Traditional tattoos often had banners that curved around or under the symbols depicted. You could go with a classic like "MOM," or choose your own that fits your story. Try "HOME", "BRAVE," or "KIND."
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