This Temporary Exhibit Explores the Permanence of Body Art

Opening November 19 at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, "Tattoo" explores the 5,000-year-old tradition of marking skin with ink.

Examining tattoos as symbols of both tradition and rebellion, the exhibit will feature over 125 images and objects, including historic artifacts, and life-size silicone models with contemporary designs. For this West Coast edition, part of the exhibit will focus on Southern California communities with a prominent tattoo culture like Ventura, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Orange County.

1. Silicone arm featuring Horiyoshi III’s work 2. Guy Aitchison’s work on silicone torso 3. Silicone arm featuring Xed Lehead’s work © musée du quai Branly – Jacques, photo Thomas Duval; © musée du quai Branly – Jacques, photo John Weinstein; © musée du quai Branly – Jacques, photo Thomas Duval

The museum is encouraging guests to share their tattoo stories on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter with #tattooNHMLA.

Tattoo will be on display through April 15, 2018. Tickets ($24 general admission; free for members) are available here.