As described in the press release for my show at San Francisco’s White Walls Gallery in June 2014:
“Created with the belief that art is all around us, Justin Kerson’s latest twisted and morbid series of work titled Blood and Ink uses cotton and linen to capture the blood and ink of freshly done tattoos. Through blood and ink, Kerson wanted to emphasize that, in art, the process and concept are just as important as the end aesthetic results. He explains, “much like the shroud of turin preserved Jesus immortally” he has immortalized the art of tattooing through his linen archivable blood and ink prints, which have a shelf life that far surpasses that of a single lifetime.
Interested in tattooing as an evolving art form that has undergone several transformations in societal connotations, Kerson seeks to transform the art of tattooing for the fine art world. As opposed to paint that will last for hundreds of years and sculptures that will last for thousands, tattoo art only lasts the duration of a single lifetime. Through the work of Blood and Ink, Justin has found a way for the tattoo itself to be archivable and tangible; to be bought, traded, inherited and sold.”
All tattoo were designed by Mike Giant, Karen Rose or Brian Kaneko.
Blood and Ink
2012
Blood and Ink
2012
Blood and Ink
2012
Blood and Ink
2012
Blood and Ink
2012
Blood and Ink
2012
Blood and Ink
2012
Blood and Ink
2012
Original tattoo by Brian Kaneko
Blood and ink on linen, 12″x10″ framed
Blood and Ink
2013
Original tattoo by Mike Giant
Blood and ink on Linen, 36″x27″, Framed
2013
Vagina Leg
Original art by Mathew Stoneman
Tatoo’d by Let it Bleed
Blood and Ink
2013
Irresistible Force Paradox
Blood and Ink
Original tattoo by Brian Kaneko
Blood and ink on linen, 25″x39″, Framed
2013
Original tattoo by Juan Puente
Blood and ink on cotton, 11″x11″, Framed
2013
Venus on my Arm
Blood and Ink
Venus On My Sleeve
Original tattoo by Cody Miller
Blood and ink on cotton, 17″x29″, Framed
2013
Original tattoo by Scott Sylvia
Blood and ink on cotton, 10″x29″, Framed
2014
Hurricane Stacy
Strong Arm
Blood and Ink
Original tattoo by Derick Montez
Blood and ink on cotton, 28″x21″, Framed
2014
