The Community
Body modification and tattooing are among the oldest traditions in human culture and are essential to many communities. While in the past decades, pop culture viewed tattooing and body piercings as something for rebellious people or those in gangs, recent shifts in the industry and cultural perceptions have made tattoos much more socially acceptable and mainstream.
We have also experienced this shift here in Kamloops. The number of shops in the city has exploded to over fifteen, and artists are now from various backgrounds. Many artists are from historically marginalized groups, such as women and the 2sLGBTQIA+ community. As tattooing and body piercings continue to be more socially acceptable, this strong community of artists will become more prominent in Kamloops.
The Opportunity
While tattoos and piercings have become more common and socially acceptable in recent years, the artists who create them have not benefitted from the same level of legitimacy as creative people that other artists who work with more conventional mediums have. Indeed, many tattoo artists create pieces in various mediums. Still, because of their work as tattooists, they are not afforded the same opportunities to display their art by the local art community.
This gap in the quality of artwork produced by body modification artists and public awareness of their work leads to a situation where the extensive art community in Kamloops has never heard of these local artists despite a thriving arts scene. The opportunity presents itself here as we have the chance to display the work of artists that otherwise would not be included in the galleries of Kamloops, thus benefitting their businesses and bringing their art to the broad base of art lovers in Kamloops and the surrounding area.
The Event
Painted is an immersive and integrated gallery exhibition experience and workshop series that aims to unite artists and bridge the gap between the public and body modification professionals. The show involves a three-way collaboration between the Kamloops Art Gallery, the Kamloops Art Council, and body modification artists. Each of these stakeholders plays a critical role in the execution of Painted, working together to bring these artists’ incredible work to the public.
The Kamloops Art Gallery (KAG) is a central fixture of the downtown core, and the staff is well-versed in planning and executing exhibitions of all kinds. KAG has ample space to display the artwork and the capacity to coordinate with artists for optimal coordination and communication. Their central location and strong connection to the community further help connect body modification artists with the art-going public in Kamloops. Many visitors to Kamloops stop at the gallery and the adjacent library, making the space ideal for attracting tourists and locals alike. Additionally, KAG operates a gift shop which sells the work of many artists, where body modification artists sell smaller pieces and offer coupons for discounts at their shop for the duration of the exhibition.
To reach out to artists and the broader art community, Painted collaborates with the Kamloops Arts Council for marketing and communication support. The Kamloops Arts Council (KAC) is a not-for-profit organization that supports all artists in the Kamloops area and promotes cooperation between organizations and artists. KAC has a broad network of artists and routinely provides them opportunities to promote their work. As such, they are an essential supporter of the efforts to communicate to the public about Painted.
The Gallery exhibition: Details for attendees
Members of the public interested in attending Painted can expect a vibrant and engaging show that is accessible to all. Visitors are welcome Tuesday through Saturday at the TNRD Civic Building. Hours, admission rates, and directions to the gallery are available here. Please note that the gallery and gift shop are accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, and other similar mobility aids.
The art displayed during Painted will combine tattoos and piercings done on fake skin and other art mediums that the body modification artists choose. Fake skin tattooing and piercing is standard practice for apprenticing artists as it allows artists to practice their permanent craft without using human subjects. The results are similar to a fresh tattoo, with vibrant colours and crisp lines.
Painted will also include an opening night where attendees can meet the artists and discuss their process. This meet and greet is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning about the art of tattooing and piercing, and attendees will benefit from the chance to understand the medium better. Light snacks and beverages will be provided before attendees enter the gallery to see the works. Please note that no food or drink is permitted inside the gallery space.
We look forward to welcoming you to Painted!
The Gallery Exhibition: Details for Artists
Painted is created in collaboration with the KAG, which will display all the artworks artists submit in its gallery space. The KAG maintains a high standard for artwork display and mandates certain logistical and technical specifications. Below is a more detailed outline of the exhibition to aid any artists interested in submitting their works.
opening night
The opening night of Painted is an opportunity for the public to meet artists and discuss their work. Artists interested in participating in Painted should be prepared to appear on opening night, which will be an enjoyable occasion filled with conversation, food, and fun. Artists will have the chance to explain their process and educate art lovers on the ins and outs of their profession. For participation in Painted and attendance at the opening night, artists will be compensated at the rates outlined below.
Transportation and installation
Any eligible artists interested in displaying work should be prepared to arrange for the transportation of their work to the KAG from their local studio. The KAG will insure artworks from when they leave the artist’s studio until they return, so artists can rest assured that the KAG has their best interests in mind. Additionally, all works should arrive ready to install with any framing or similar mounting equipment. The KAG is responsible for installation and can assemble framing or mounting pieces on-site. If an eligible artist does not have access to the necessary means to prepare a piece for installation and transportation, they should contact a KAG curator as soon as possible.
display and labelling
The display of artworks is negotiable between KAG curators and artists. The KAG has access to lighting that will fit the needs of many mediums, and artists should be prepared to discuss their display preferences with KAG staff. Similarly, artists should know what labels they feel are necessary to display their work properly. The KAG can produce simple tombstone labels with essential information and extended labels. Tombstone labels contain the artist’s name, the title of the piece, the artwork medium, the dimensions of the piece, and the year it was completed. Extended labels contain all the information of tombstone labels, with the addition of a text explanation to give viewers added context on the meaning of the piece or its social significance. Artists can choose between these two options but should be prepared to provide any background information necessary to the KAG to write the explanation on extended labels.
rate of compensation
The KAG will pay participating artists royalties for the display of their works on a scale depending on the type of work submitted and the physical space occupied by the artwork. The minimum rate of pay for artists varies depending on the final number of artists that participate; however, we can estimate between $714 and $405 per artist. For more information on the minimum rate of pay, please refer to the CARFAC 2024 Exhibition and Screening Royalty Schedule, section A.1.3. The KAG is committed to fair compensation for artists and uses CARFAC fee schedules as their standard for determining payment.
The Workshop
The Painted workshop will run twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the duration of the exhibition and is an excellent opportunity for the community to gain hands-on experience in the world of body modification. Facilitators will demonstrate and explain the technique behind tattooing and piercing work, and participants will get the opportunity to handle some of the supplies used to create body art. There will also be an opportunity for participants to attempt some of the other art mediums on display, such as wood burning and linocut printmaking.
The KAG will supply all needed materials while participants pay an admission fee of $10 for a ninety-minute experience.
The Painted workshop is open to anybody aged 18 years or older and youth aged 16 years or older, provided they attend with a parent or guardian. Please note that due to health and safety concerns, participants will not be handling needles and so will not be creating tattoos or piercings on fake skin.
The Benefits
Painted offers artists many benefits and opportunities to integrate into the broader art scene in Kamloops from which they have been excluded. As it is likely that many artists in the body modification community are not KAC members, collaborating with them to promote and bring Painted to life not only brings support to the show but also to individual artists. This unity among body modification artists and connection to the broader art community is a rarity, a gap that Painted aims to bridge.
This unique exhibition further allows art fans to experience new mediums they otherwise might not have considered. Although there is a strong community of art lovers in Kamloops, many will not have heard of the body modification artists in the area due to lingering social stigma against their work. Painted will break down these barriers and present this artwork to a new audience.
Finally, the financial benefit to the artists and exposure to new audiences interested in paying to get their work done will significantly help this community. Between the exposure, vouchers, and sales of their work, artists can expect significant financial benefits from participating in Painted.
Are you an artist interested in displaying your work at Painted? Contact a KAG curator using the button below to arrange to have your work displayed.
