Patteef’s Collages: Shifting the Perception of Tattoos as Art

Belgian collage artist Patteef creates collages that juxtapose together paintings from Western art history canons with contemporary tattoo works from various artists around the globe. As a tattoo collector, by putting these two mediums side-by-side, Patteef’s pieces affirm that tattoo works are indeed works of art. He is proclaiming that they are worthy of celebration and adoration, much like the depicted paintings. He also uses his pieces to empower tattoo artists and other collectors who would have otherwise been stigmatized as criminals or delinquents. This is why the collages by Patteef are relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Reduced Inequalities and Decent Work And Economic Growth.

Historically, tattoo stigma can be traced back to as early as Ancient Greece and Rome, where tattoos were used to mark three groups: slaves, criminals and prisoners of war. The results are discrimination practices that have lasted to this very day, which has kept people with tattoos from gaining employment, accessing education opportunities and more. Tattoo stigma has proceeded even though tattoos are widely seen as a form of self-expression today, and as Patteef highlights, a form of art which requires dedication and time to master, just like any other art medium.

Aside from that, tattoo stigma has also been used to discriminate against Indigenous communities across the globe. For many different native tribes, tattoos are considered to be a part of their religious and cultural practices. They also mark their connection to their ancestors and people of old, people who have, more often than not, survived colonization and genocide. Hence, another reason why efforts such as Patteef’s to eliminate tattoo stigma can be beneficial for many people.

Patteef’s collages juxtaposing Western art history with contemporary tattoo designs challenge long-standing stigmas around tattoos, asserting their place as a legitimate and celebrated art form. By presenting tattoos alongside iconic paintings, his work empowers tattoo artists and collectors, countering stereotypes that have historically linked tattoos to criminality and marginalization. By reframing tattoos as art, Patteef’s collages reduce discrimination, promote cultural appreciation and support economic opportunities within the tattoo industry.

Find out more about these collages and other pieces by Patteef on his website www.linktr.ee/patteef or Instagram @patteef.