The love of ink exhibit at the Chicago Photography Center honors tattoos as an art form

Simon Wolak rocks his tats as he stands infront of two of his photos

"Tattoo art it is a beautiful art form," says Warren Perlstein, a 45-year veteran, professional photographer who is co-curating a photographic exhibit of tattoo art at the Chicago Photography Center, 3301 N. Lincoln Ave. with the Center's curator and Board Member Susan Aurinko. The exhibit runs through Feb. 24.

Warren Perlstein and Susan Aurinko pose by a Harley Davidson which was part of the fund raiser event

"As I was thinking about audiences that we at the Center had not reached out to before, I thought about how tattoos are an art form that needs documenting," said Aurinko as she talked about the inspiration for the exhibit. "Some tattoo artists take their own photos or pay other photographers, but I thought it would be interesting for them to learn how to record their own work more professionally. Then I asked Warren to co-curate the show with me.  And, here we are with a fund raiser tonight (Feb. 3) and a workshop tomorrow before our exhibit opening tomorrow night. The show is producing some wonderful new connections for us."

Jose More's photo from the South Pacific

"Tattoos mean different things to different people. In some cultures they are part of a person's spirituality," explains Perlstein.  Subjects in the exhibit range from photos of design patterns to photos of tattoos on the legs of the Maori people of New Zealand.

"Simon (Wolak) was my inspiration for getting into this whole thing," said Perlstein. "it is his shot we used on a poster. He is a wonderful young man who has drive to go and do."

Simon Wolak is a photographer who got his first tattoo six years ago. "The quality of the inks is so much better now then they were. They keep their edge better. Now all sorts of people are getting tattoos." Striving to become a full time photographer Wolak is in the midst of writing a book about tattoos which will be published in Poland.

Caitlyn Eakins illustrates how 20-somethings are embrassing tattooing

Pictures in the show are from 14 different photographers, some amateurs and some professionals. They are Tim Arroyo, Virgil DiBiase, Caitlyn Eakins. Davis Freeman, Ted Glasoe, Nicole Kemerer, Ziggy Lukanus, Kristi Martin, Jose More, Chuck Osgood, Annette Patko, Warren Perlstein, Tom Szydelko and Simon Wolak.

AnnettePatko-Zenita is getting inked

Both Aurinko and Perlstein believe that they will do this show again next year. Many tattoo artists did not learn about the show until entries were closed and it appears they are interested in participating. The Maori shots made them realize that they could explore many different cultures.

For anyone who might doubt the ancient roots of tattooing, the 1991 discovery of a 5,000 year old frozen male corpse in the mountains between Austria and India would make them a believer. There were 57 tattoos on his body. Be sure to stop by the Center and see for yourself why so many people love ink.