How Tattoos Symbolize Freedom and Autonomy Throughout History with Friday Jones
Tattoos used to be taboo (except among the bikers and rock stars). Back in the day, you wouldn’t dare show them in the professional workplace.
But we’ve come quite a way since then. From neighbors to high society celebrities, we see people from all stripes of life with body art in the form of tiny tattoos, sleeves, and even the full body.
My special guest Friday Jones has seen firsthand how society’s view on tattooing has changed since she entered the industry in the early 1990s. She’s a trailblazing tattoo artist who’s worked on the likes of Angelina Jolie, Lydia Hearst, Aaron Neville, and other worldwide famous figures and leaders. For her, though, tattoos go beyond just being an art form.
In this episode of the Words of Love podcast, you’ll learn about the trajectory of tattoo culture in society and how tattoos have come to symbolize freedom, self-expression, and more. Friday will also discuss her journey in the industry, her work with practitioners on mastectomy tattoos, and the process of legalizing tattooing in Montenegro (while discovering its secret regional history along the way).
6:00 - How Friday got started tattooing cancer patients and helping with their breast reconstruction
10:39 - How nurse practitioners and patients responded to the idea of nipple tattoos
14:15 - How society has embraced tattoos and how they’ve become a symbol of empowerment and freedom (for myself included)
22:18 - Friday’s favorite illustrative mastectomy tattoos and how women’s partners react to their body art
25:15 - The idea behind Friday’s first tattoo and why she almost passed out when the needle hit her arm for the first time
29:41 - How Friday helped legalize tattooing in Montenegro and uncovered a forgotten cultural history of tattooing in the region
Connect with Friday Jones
Friday Jones is a trailblazing tattoo artist, known for her exceptional talent and innovative approach to the art of tattooing. With a client list that reads like a who's who of award-winners, supermodels, and world leaders, Friday has left an indelible mark on the industry. Her work has graced album covers and even iconic guitars, making her a true luminary in the world of tattoo artistry.
Friday is also a pioneer, having legalized tattooing in Montenegro and opening the country's first legal tattoo shop, Tattoo Montenegro, in 2018. With over 26,000 hours of expertise, she has become a trusted name in post-operative tattoos, collaborating with top hospitals, plastic surgeons, and even developing training programs for nurse practitioners for 3D nipple tattoos, areolar repigmentation, and scar therapy. Friday's journey from a prestigious apprenticeship to her extensive academic pursuits showcases her dedication to pushing the boundaries of tattoo art.
Mentioned in How Tattoos Symbolize Freedom and Autonomy Throughout History with Friday Jones
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