British Tattoo Art Revealed

The show, which features over 400 original artworks, photographs and historic artifacts, focuses not only on the history and the cultural aspects of the practice, but also at its use as an artistic medium. The installation brings art off the gallery wall and creates a "sculptural map" of British tattoo art today.

The exhibition features a history of the British tattoo scene and contemporary original works from 100 of the UK's leading tattoo artists. It tells a story that challenges long-standing myths and pre-conceptions about tattooing when it comes to class, gender and age.

Tattoo designs on some of the silicone arms are part of the exhibition. One hundred silicone arms are on display, each tattooed with an original design by 100 of the leading tattoo artists working across the UK. The curators consider tattoos as a form of art, which is too often lost to the ravages of time.

Pieces of real human skin, showing popular 19th Century designs are on display in Falmouth. They provide an insight into the darker side of tattoo collections with a rare display of tattoing on preserved human skin from the Wellcome Collection’s (London) medical skin collection, on loan to the Science Museum.

One of the last tattoo machines used by Britain’s pioneering female tattoo artist Jessie Knight during her career, which lasted from the 1920s through the 1960s.

Exhibition curator, Dr Matt Lodder in front of one hundred silicone arms. "Tattooing is a magical, romantic, exciting and often-misunderstood art-form, and this exhibition aims to communicate some of that magic to visitors.”