For centuries, tattoos have held different meanings and standards within cultures around the world. The ancient art form can be traced back to Egypt, where body markings represented high social status and individuals who wore them were revered as brave and courageous. Tattoos were also believed to cure diseases and protect against unwanted spirits.
Body ink has become widely popular, serving as adornments, symbols, reminders, memoirs and much more. Yet, despite the origin of tattoos being deeply rooted in Africa, the beauty and skill of tattooing on darker skin is often downplayed.
To honor the art we wear, The Block caught up with creatives of color in Charlotte, N.C., to tell the stories behind their tattoos. There is always more than what meets the eye.
Tattoos are a reflection of where you are and where you wanna be.
KIARA ARNOLD
Kiara Arnold is a content creator and self-proclaimed sneakHERologist who runs @chicinsneaks and her own copywriting business.
Q: What does your tattoo represent?
Kiara: I have a lion tattoo that represents me to the T. I’m a Leo, but beyond that, I’m very strong and a go-getter. I’m usually the one most go to for advice. I embrace both my strong and sensitive side, no matter if society assumes women with masculine traits are less feminine. The flowers around my lion tattoo represent my softer side.
I wanted to showcase that I balance both sides of me. I have found that my softer side is a safe space. I choose to bloom in it. But I know how to hunt, too—because that’s what lions do.
Q: What are your thoughts on tattoos?
Kiara: Tattoos have nothing to do with professionalism. They have never stopped me from getting a job.
Black people are seeing their lives portrayed in art, and that means everything.
JESSICA MOSS
Jessica Moss is an artist and curator who founded The Roll Up, a community-based artist residency project. Her tattoos speak to Black history.
Q: What’s the significance of your favorite tattoos?
Jessica: My Phillis Wheatley tattoo by Chris Mensah in Washington, D.C., is very important to me. Phillis was also one of the earliest examples of a Black woman that was a practicing artist who used her craft to advocate for the liberation of her people. She is not only the first enslaved person, the first person of African descent, and only the second American woman to have her work published, but her creative practice also included commissioning other Black artists and using her writing as a compelling advocacy tool. I told Chris the concept, and he developed this brilliant concept and design.
My black panther tattoo is an homage to The Black Panther Party. It represents a desire to radically change society. Tomas Garcia at Old Soul Tattoo in Canonsburg, Penn., was the artist for this piece. He based this drawing off of the original crawling black panther design tracing back to 1934. My panther doesn’t look violent, and there’s a reason for that. Much of the work of The Black Panther Party was about liberation through the care and welfare of our people, by our people.
Q: What are your view on tattoos?
Jessica: Tattoos, as artwork, are powerful. But we must always remember to acknowledge, appreciate and uplift the artists behind the imagery.
Tattoos speak to your own identity and can do so much for people.
BRANDON FERGUSON
Brandon Ferguson is owner of @projectdefeat, an organization focused on ending homelessness. He says family inspired his ink.
“My sleeve is dedicated to my grandma Charlene. She always called me her pride and joy and loved me unconditionally. My grandma was the strongest person I’ve known in my life. I watched her battle cancer through eight years, beating it and seeing it return. Through it all, she stayed uplifted and didn’t even share what all she was dealing with. After she passed, I knew I wanted to get something in dedication to her.”
Q: What is some of the symbolism in your tattoo?
Brandon: A lot of the symbolism behind the tattoo is a reminder for me of her strength. My tattoo begins with a hand with a lock in it. This is the hand of God. It makes me think about what people run from. It’s a reminder to me to stand up and face whatever it is that comes at me. My grandma had that type of fight.
I have an angel praying, that represents her as well. She prayed for me, she prayed for all of us and there’s definitely power in prayer. The detail behind every image in my tattoo represents something bigger. My grandma did so much for me, and so it’s an honor to pay homage to her.
Q: What are your thoughts on tattoos?
Brandon: Create who you are outside of society and what others think. Tattoos speak to your own identity and can do so much for people.
It was Freedom for me.
DEMAURIO PAGE
DeMaurio Page is owner of Uncle D’s Southern Donuts. He opened up to The Block about how he once hid his tattoos.
“I grew up in a conservative, churchgoing home where tattoos came with the stereotypes we all are used to hearing. Growing up hearing one perspective made me hesitant about getting my first tattoo. I worried about the opinions of my close family members and friends who grew up in the church. It actually wasn’t until my third tattoo that my parents even knew I had them. I would hide them whenever I went to church. Had they known before, they would have thought I went to college and the devil got a hold of me.”
Q: How did you feel when you got your tattoos?
DeMaurio: It was freedom for me. It was a testament of true adulthood because I finally made decisions for myself. After my third tattoo, I no longer worried about what people would think or say. I made the decision to stop living for others.
Q: What’s the significance of one of your favorite tattoos?
DeMaurio: My tattoo of a Spartan warrior with a shield that reads “Love is War.” When I got the tattoo, it was a turning point in my life. I dealt with some challenges with family and friends and saw love as a battle. I was also dealing with trying to make a failing relationship work, so it’s a constant reminder that relationships and loving someone can be a tough, but it doesn’t have to be.
You’ll always remember how you felt when you got your first tattoo.
NIGE HOOD
Nige Hood is a music artist and the frontman of Folk Rap Band. He talked about how tattoos can be linked to memories.
Q: What’s the story behind your tattoo?
Nige: Growing up, my dad used to call me a “challenger” because I would always challenge things. I learned that about myself as I grew up; that I’m quick to rise to challenges. My tattoo is a reminder to myself that I don’t always need to go to every challenge.
Q: What are your thoughts on tattoos?
Nige: Tattoos are like Christmas gifts that you’ll always appreciate. They just evolve and increase in value. You’ll always remember how you felt when you got your first tattoo.
My art tells a story of the things I love. It’s what I do. It’s a reflection of my life.
JASIATIC ANDERSON
Jasiatic Anderson is founder of SuCasa, an Afro-fusion dance party event based in Charlotte. She’s pictured above with her daughter Nahimana Machen, who says tattoos are all about self expression.
Q: How did you decide on your first tattoo?
Nahimana: I was always inspired by my mom’s tattoos and wanted them when I was able to get them. My first tattoo, I wanted it to be similar to my mom’s lotus flower.
Jasiatic: I like to make sure the work that’s being done is good quality, so I do the research on artists. I also want to make sure they are able to bring the artistic vision to life.
Q: What is your favorite piece of art you wear?
Jasiatic: My artwork connects, so there’s not just one piece [but] I can speak about my art as a whole. … The lotus flower was designed by my friend, artist Catherine Courtland of Haylo Studio Lounge, years ago. I’ve always admired her work and have followed her art journey with constant support. While SuCasa was regularly taking place, Catherine was an essential part because of her artistry. She created these beautiful images and paintings on faces that many loved.
Q: What are your thoughts on tattoos?
Jasiatic: It’s an art form and the tattoo artists bring life to your ideas. Every artist is different. Some people forget the person behind the art, but the tattoo artists matters and their art speaks for them.
