Stolen.

NOTHING IS ORIGINAL. STEAL FROM ANYWHERE THAT RESONATES WITH INSPIRATION OR FUELS YOUR IMAGINATION. DEVOUR OLD FILMS, NEW FILMS, MUSIC, BOOKS, PAINTINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, POEMS, DREAMS, RANDOM CONVERSATIONS, ARCHITECTURE, BRIDGES, STREET SIGNS, TREES, CLOUDS, BODIES OF WATER, LIGHT AND SHADOWS. SELECT ONLY THINGS TO STEAL FROM THAT SPEAK DIRECTLY TO YOUR SOUL. IF YOU DO THIS, YOUR WORK (AND THEFT) WILL BE AUTHENTIC. AUTHENTICITY IS INVALUABLE; ORIGINALITY IS NON-EXISTENT. AND DON’T BOTHER CONCEALING YOUR THIEVERY - CELEBRATE IT IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT. IN ANY CASE, ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT JEAN-LUC GODARD SAID: ‘IT’S NOT WHERE YOU TAKE THINGS FROM - IT’S WHERE YOU TAKE THEM TO.’

— JIM JARMUSCH

SK!N.

SK!N is finished. If you think i look like shit, that's because i feel it. Will post some better pics once everything is heeled. A big thank you to my super talented tattooist for realizing my vision and the audience for there participation.

SK!N

Starting to get painful now. Nearly at the end.

Sk!N

Tattooing well under way I interact with the audience as it takes place. They relax and enjoy wine, as i am in pain. What sadists.

SK!N Transfer and start of ink

SK!N The Idea and Prep. Health and Safety

Below Left is the painting from

which the SK!N idea was taken. I have recently made paintings influenced by old school tattooing by Sailor Jerry and Doc Forbes to name a couple. Their tattoo designs are simple but striking and laden with symbolism. I wanted to translate this imagery into abstract and expressionistic oil paintings.

On the 4th of July 2011. Having completely nothing to do with American independence day the Exchange was transformed into a

"Tattoo Shop" to set the stage for a radi

cal performance art piece which involved myself getting

tattooed with an image based on my work and designed by myself. I wanted to push the idea of SURFACE to the very limits. The exhibition opens on the 8th of July at Artwaves, Nile Street, Burslem. All of the artist experiment with different surfaces and medias. For this piece my body would become the canvas.

Everything was set up within Health and Safety and Hygeine guidelines with licensed Tattooist Miss Guided. This was not a decision entered into lightly. As the artwork will be with me all of my life.

SK!N