Local tattoos reflect national trends

“ONE of my main wishes is that people be more creative with their tattoo ideas,” bemoans Swan Hill tattoo artist Beau Mirabito. 

Working in the tattoo industry for the past seven years and recently establishing his own tattoo business on Curlewis Street, The Violet Lantern with apprentice Bassy Graham, Mr Mirabito is on a crusade to get people thinking about what they ink on their bodies.

“Think long and hard before you get a tattoo,” he advised.

“I’ve thought about every one of my tattoos since I was 14 years old,” added Mr Graham. 

“I want to be pretty much neck-to-toe [tattooed]. All my tattoos are meaningful.

“That way, even if you don’t like it [when you’re older] there’s still a reason behind it.”

Recent data on tattoos conducted by Sydney-based research from McCrindle shows that tattoos have become part of the mainstream, no longer reserved for certain sections of society.

Based on a survey of 1011 Australians, the research revealed more women have tattoos than men and that those getting tattoos aren’t restricted to a particular age bracket. 

“It’s not just men … not just the blue collar worker or the soldier or the traditional Australian looking to do something radical,” social researcher Mark McCrindle said.

“It’s the stay at home mum, it’s the student, the older person with kids.

“Tattoos have often been associated with youth, something you do when you’re young. 

“But that’s turned the corner now … one in five Australians are getting tattoos in their mid 30s or older. 

“It’s more about marking the journey and significant chapters in life than a drunken youthful thing.”

For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (April 1, 2016).