From Booklist
Tattooing the body is no longer just a historical practice in Asia or Africa, a rite of passage for drunken sailors, or a reason to set up a carnival freak-show booth.
The New Tattoo traces the origins of tattooing and the earliest tattoos, categorizes styles and themes for current tattoos, discusses the evolution of the profession in the artisan community, and answers any questions that unpricked persons might have about getting or removing tattoos. In addition to providing information, this book serves as a beautifully photographed collection of tattoo artists' work. Images range from a Tabasco label or dazzling jewels to hot-rodding women and Japanese carp. You don't need to stare at the many tattooed individuals on the street or search for an image or an artist yourself; just buy this coffee-table book, which is sure to shock, rock, and satisfy any voyeur.
Lisa Orzepowski
Book Description
This sophisticated look at the latest high-style skin decorations, created by the most creative contemporary tattoo artists, is divided into five chapters: Tribal; Paintings, Prints, and Portraits; Imagination and Fantasy; Neotraditional; and All the Rest. A lively introduction provides a cogent history of tattooing through the ages, making clear that the compulsion to personalize the body has characterized humanity throughout recorded history. Concluding the introduction is an informative evaluation of how the tattoo scene has changed since the "tattoo renaissance" that began in the 1960s and has culminated in today's heady mix of inventive old masters and young art-school-trained hotshots. An invaluable appendix gives answers to the questions anyone should ask before getting a tattoo, including: How Is a Tattoo Made? Is It Safe? How Do I Find the Right Tattoo Artist? How Do I Pick the Right Design? How Much Will It Cost? How Long Does It Take? What Maintenance Does a Tattoo Require? Can I Get Rid of It?