Permanence is the latest offering from author/writer/teacher Kip Fulbeck, known best for his book “Part Asian, 100% Happa.” “Permanence” is primarily a book of tattoo portraits with explanations for each focal point. It contains a few interviews as well and a nice foreword by Horitaka. The point is that tattoos are no longer related to the fringe of society, or even to the traditions of culture, but are now accepted by nearly everyone, which ahs changed the face of the art of tattooing forever.
The pictures here are amazing. There’s no other way to say it. They are all beautifully shot and explained in the tattooed’s own words. From celebrities like Margaret Cho, Evan Seinfeld, Tera Patrick, Kat Von D. , and Scott Ian to regular Joe’s like you and me, each tattoo’s significance, or insignificance in some cases, is handwritten by it’s bearer. Some of them are as simple as “I was drunk” or “I thought it would be cool” but some of them dig deep, having been done by famous artists, in honor of fallen family members, to cleanse deep wounds/regrets, even featuring some tattoos of holocaust survivors, showing how negatively the art can also be used.
I can’t say enough about how enjoyable and powerful this book actually is. Fulbeck brilliantly captures the art of tattooing in a well rounded and interesting way and presents it in a creative fashion, separating it quickly from other similar tattoo portrait books. Whether you are a fan of tattoos or not, this is a book everyone should check out.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
