Installing wall text in our “Tattoo Honolulu” exhibition to encourage people to share their ink via our Tumblr blog. #tattoo #hawaii #ink (at Honolulu Museum of Art)

Installing wall text in our “Tattoo Honolulu” exhibition to encourage people to share their ink via our Tumblr blog. #tattoo #hawaii #ink (at Honolulu Museum of Art)

chickrawker: Tattoo Hawaii at Honolulu Academy of Arts: this museum is one of my faves in the country and I have been here many times over my visits to Honolulu. On Friday night, the museum held their monthly Art After Dark party - Halloween themed and a super fun time. I did spend some time in the Tattoo Hawaii exhibit because, well, I like tattoos! The tattoo sheets at the top are Sailor Jerry - yes, he was a real person and seeing those tattoo sheets were cool. Also, there was a case of tattoo machines - pretty interesting. The last two photos are on the same person - Chris Jumalon and the work of tattoo artist Richie Lucero.

chickrawker:

Tattoo Hawaii at Honolulu Academy of Arts: this museum is one of my faves in the country and I have been here many times over my visits to Honolulu. On Friday night, the museum held their monthly Art After Dark party - Halloween themed and a super fun time. I did spend some time in the Tattoo Hawaii exhibit because, well, I like tattoos! The tattoo sheets at the top are Sailor Jerry - yes, he was a real person and seeing those tattoo sheets were cool. Also, there was a case of tattoo machines - pretty interesting. The last two photos are on the same person - Chris Jumalon and the work of tattoo artist Richie Lucero.

“Jerry Diver Pinup Fighting Swordfish” by Norman Kieth Collins, aka Sailor Jerry. Just some of the original flash on view in “Tattoo Honolulu.” We want other people to share their work—whether on skin or paper. Upload your submission!

“Jerry Diver Pinup Fighting Swordfish” by Norman Kieth Collins, aka Sailor Jerry. Just some of the original flash on view in “Tattoo Honolulu.” We want other people to share their work—whether on skin or paper. Upload your submission!

1982 tattoo by Kandi Everett at China Sea on Smith St. in Honolulu

My name is Robert Goerge. I got this tattoo in 1982 from Kandi Everett at China Sea on Smith St. in Honolulu.1982 china sea tattoo Honolulu

Jennifer Obena Left arm sleeved top part has a tiger with bamboos and cherry blossoms (going out towards my left shoulder blade).  Reason I got the tiger is because I am the year of the Tiger. Inside of my arm, has chrysanthemum and peony flower.My elbow has a wind cloud and inside and out of my forearm is a dragon to contrast the tiger.Done by Mike Higuchi (who once was an apprentice of Mike Ledger) at The Dark Side in 2003, Honolulu, Hawaii. My right forearm (outside part) is a Japanese woman God (only woman God in Japan) named Benten. She represents anything/everything to do with the earth, love, life.  She helps protect you against all disaster. Inside of forearm is the gypsy looking version of Benten. Both done by Joe at Hawaii Tattoo Co. in 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. My right arm is a Japanese snake done in 2010 by Chris Sawyer at 808 Tattoo in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Inside part of my elbow is a hinge done in 2012 by Billy Whitney at 808 Tattoo in Kaneohe, Hawaii. On my right elbow is a cobweb with a spider also done in 2012 by Billy Whitney at 808 Tattoo in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Jennifer Obena

Left arm sleeved top part has a tiger with bamboos and cherry blossoms (going out towards my left shoulder blade).  Reason I got the tiger is because I am the year of the Tiger. Inside of my arm, has chrysanthemum and peony flower.My elbow has a wind cloud and inside and out of my forearm is a dragon to contrast the tiger.Done by Mike Higuchi (who once was an apprentice of Mike Ledger) at The Dark Side in 2003, Honolulu, Hawaii.

My right forearm (outside part) is a Japanese woman God (only woman God in Japan) named Benten. She represents anything/everything to do with the earth, love, life.  She helps protect you against all disaster. Inside of forearm is the gypsy looking version of Benten. Both done by Joe at Hawaii Tattoo Co. in 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

My right arm is a Japanese snake done in 2010 by Chris Sawyer at 808 Tattoo in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Inside part of my elbow is a hinge done in 2012 by Billy Whitney at 808 Tattoo in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

On my right elbow is a cobweb with a spider also done in 2012 by Billy Whitney at 808 Tattoo in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

I have had the great honor to meet some of the best South Pacific tattooers on the planet!!  The tattoo on my left foot was done by Joel Albanez on Oahu in about 2004 and the chest in 2007. Sua Suluape Toetuu, Aisea  did the ones on my lower legs in 2005 and 2006 (?) and the left knee in 2009. The right knee was done in Borneo by Ernesto Kalum in 2010.  All were done in the traditional tap method except Joel’s pieces.

I have had the great honor to meet some of the best South Pacific tattooers on the planet!! 

The tattoo on my left foot was done by Joel Albanez on Oahu in about 2004 and the chest in 2007. Sua Suluape Toetuu, Aisea  did the ones on my lower legs in 2005 and 2006 (?) and the left knee in 2009. The right knee was done in Borneo by Ernesto Kalum in 2010.  All were done in the traditional tap method except Joel’s pieces.

Share your ink

The museum presents “Tattoo Honolulu” June 14 to January 13, an exhibition focusing on Hawai‘i’s high quality of tattoo art—and how it sprouted from the islands’ mix of cultures rich with tattoo traditions.

We want to see your tattoos too! Click on “Tattoo Honolulu” at right to submit images of your tattoos. In the caption field,  include your name, the tattoo artist’s name and/or studio, city where you got the tattoo, and the year you were inked.