Women in tattoo culture: A study of aesthetic-affective practices in contemporary tattoo studios

This study investigates the current state of tattoo culture in order to understand what might configure a feminist tattoo practice focused on inclusion and equality. Looking at the process of aestheticisation, which coincides with the increased participation of women in tattooing, I argue that certain women-led practices incite cultural change in ways that are both aesthetic and affective. By means of a case study, I gather insights into the atmospheric experience in a tattoo studio, arriving at a framework that aims to inform studies and practices seeking to include people who would not feel entitled to participate in tattooing otherwise. I conclude by arguing that a feminist practice in tattooing is necessarily an aesthetic-affective practice that can, through ethical engagement, minimise the contradictions in the process of aestheticisation.