finesse whilst slowly melting my face off.
This isn’t the noxious possession of an infant child it’s just me, a
weirdo, colouring in my skin cos I fancied a change. So less of your
tutting admonishment! I’m not sitting at the back of the cinema crin-
kling the sweet wrappers and having a massive head that blocks
the view, I’m just living my life and having a bloody good time, bug-
ger off.
I understand that the blackwork I have is extensive and might seem
threatening or strange to some people which could be why it’s been
questioned and misunderstood, rest assured it is a wondrous way
for me to exist and has instilled so much empowerment and self
confidence. I do this for myself, to reclaim my body. I accept it as an
essential part of my core identity. I’m just doing what helps to heal
and following my own way.
I’ve mentioned this before and yet it’s definitely worth reiterating to
those that aren’t familiar with the origins of tattooing to avoid con-
fusion amongst all the wide eyed hype. Blackwork stems from the
tribal hand tapping process of tattooing where the tattoos them-
28