Modern Art Tattoos: From Pollock to Haring
A DailyArt Magazine article explores the trend of tattoos inspired by modern and contemporary art, featuring works by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Yves Klein, Kazimir Malevich, Jeff Koons, Banksy, Keith Haring, and Lee Ufan. Tattoo artists like Anton Senkov, Jamie Luna, Amanda Wachob, KSU Arrow, Oi Tattooer, Ivan Casabo, Joey Hill, and Lauren Winzer reinterpret iconic artworks. The article notes that Rothko feared his art would be seen as merely decorative, and his Seagram murals were eventually gifted to the Tate Gallery. Klein registered International Klein Blue (IKB) in 1960 but never patented it. Malevich founded Suprematism, seeking pure feeling. Koons' work is described as populist and absurd. Haring's dancing dogs reference Ancient Egyptian and Christian symbolism. Lee Ufan's work is central to the Mono-ha movement, which emphasizes materiality.
Key facts
- Anton Senkov created a tattoo inspired by Jackson Pollock's abstraction.
- Mark Rothko feared his art would be perceived as purely decorative.
- In 1958, Rothko was commissioned to paint murals for the Four Seasons restaurant in the Seagram Building.
- Rothko withdrew from the Four Seasons commission due to doubts about the setting.
- Norman Reid, Director of the Tate Gallery, approached Rothko about extending his representation.
- Rothko gifted nine Seagram murals to the Tate Gallery.
- Yves Klein registered International Klein Blue (IKB) in May 1960.
- Klein never patented IKB.
- Klein was a founder of Nouveau Réalisme.
- In 1958, Klein organized an exhibition known as The Void.
- Almost 3,000 people arrived at The Void opening, requiring police to disperse them.
- Kazimir Malevich founded Suprematism.
- Jeff Koons' sculptures include inflatable dogs and works with Cicciolina.
- Banksy's black and white work is popular for tattoos.
- Keith Haring began drawing in New York subway stations in the 1980s.
- In 1986, Haring painted on the Berlin Wall using German flag colors.
- Haring's dancing dogs reference Anubis and the Christian 'dance of the dead'.
- Lee Ufan is a Korean minimalist painter and sculptor.
- Lee Ufan's work is central to the Mono-ha movement.
- Mono-ha occurred in Tokyo between 1968 and 1975.
Entities
Artists
- Jackson Pollock
- Anton Senkov
- Mark Rothko
- Jamie Luna
- Yves Klein
- Amanda Wachob
- Kazimir Malevich
- KSU Arrow
- Jeff Koons
- Oi Tattooer
- Banksy
- Ivan Casabo
- Keith Haring
- Joey Hill
- Lee Ufan
- Lauren Winzer
- Mies van der Rohe
- Philip Johnson
- Norman Reid
- Frank Stella
- Cicciolina
Institutions
- DailyArt Magazine
- Four Seasons restaurant
- Seagram Building
- Tate Gallery
- Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI)
- Nouveau Réalisme
- Berlin Wall
Locations
- New York
- Berlin
- Tokyo
- Germany
- Ancient Egypt