Prisoners have some fantastic quotes and phrases
tattooed on them. One of my favourites is on a convict
nicknamed Angel:
‘I was born in a stoney place of sadness. Locked up in a
jaily place of madness. Where men kill men.’
Tell us about your current prison tattoo project?
The project I’m working on at the moment is entitled
Tjappies Van Die Point, which directly translates to
‘Tattoos from (South African) Prisons’. As the title
suggests, it’s a photographic investigation into the
symbolism and aesthetic of South African prison tattoos.
In terms of your own tattoos –what's most
important to you?
In terms of tattoos, I relate to imperfection. Having
quality work is great – but often older, less aesthetically
amazing tattoos have the greatest stories.
What is the most inspiring tattoo-related story you
have heard from someone you’ve photographed?
"I WAS BORN IN A STONEY PLACE
OF SADNESS. LOCKED UP IN
JAILY PLACE
OF MADNESS.
A
WHERE MEN KILL MEN"
While photographing for Tjappies van die Point, I spent
time with an ex-prisoner who was due to be hung in the
early ‘90s – so, he got a gallows scene tattooed on his
forehead as his l \