BLVD Gallery Urban Contemporary Seattle WA

In honor of the 5th Annual Seattle Tattoo Convention, the STC organizers asked BLVD Gallery to curate a show featuring work by tattoo artists who also create works on paper (non-flash related), entitled "No Wimps" ( a phrase taken from signage often found in tattoo parlors.) Tattoos date back to prehistoric times, and their popularity and acceptance has waxed and waned over the millennia.

Even less than 25 years ago tattoos were outlaw badges of honor, marginalized and vilified, a trait shared with much contemporary street art, such as graffiti. Today they have exploded in popularity to the point where it seems almost everyone has a tattoo and their acceptance in mainstream pop culture has allowed artists to start to create imagery and techniques that further push the envelope of what tattoos can be or look like. This pushing of boundaries allows tattoo culture to remain fresh and consistently provocative. At the same time, many tattooists have expanded their repertoire to extend beyond flesh and leap onto the canvas. Legendary tattooists such as Don Ed Hardy and Bob Roberts have made successful leaps into galleries and museums, and many tattoo shops and contemporary pop galleries often feature work by artists who also work as tattoo artists. BLVD has gathered an amazing array of talent to create an unusual and vital show highlighting some of the great talent found in the tattoo culture. Many artists featured with be at the Seattle Tattoo Convention.

In addition we will be featuring a series of tattoo inspired photographs by Lance Mercer.

Artists: Jason D'Aquino, Amanda Wachob, Chris Thompson, Lance Mercer, Eric Eye, David Tupper "Chula", Joey Remmers, Carson, Clay Welch, Ego, Pooch, Damon Conklin, Jared Shealey, and more!