The Foundry Art Centre’s newest exhibition, Missouri Ink, showcases more than 300 photographs that delve behind the scenes of 23 tattoo studios. Tattooed rubber duckies and select tattooed arms will be available for purchase through a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting Bikers Against Child Abuse – St. Louis Chapter.
Just a few yards from the Missouri River, an unique art exhibit has taken shape.
“Missouri Ink” is more than a showcase. The latest offering from the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles is a vibrant reel of stories etched in skin, which makes it a celebration of artistry that transcends canvas and paper.
The exhibit brings together the region’s most talented tattoo artists who transform the human body into living, breathing works of art.
From intricate designs to bold, graphic statements, Missouri Ink delivers on its promise to be a journey through the diverse and dynamic world of tattooing, where every piece of art carries a story and every story leaves an indelible mark.
More than 300 photographs depict the inner workings of 23 tattoo studios, giving visitors a peek behind the curtain that most people, tattooed or not, may never get to see.
Artists will be on hand, drawing up sketches, interacting with their clients, and practicing their craft.
The exhibition opened on July 5 with a reception that was part of the Foundry’s First Friday series, where guests can expect art activities, live music, and a bar service.
Missouri Ink will be on view until August 24. To close the exhibition, a Tattoo Arts & Crafts Fair will be held on August 23 and 24 in collaboration with Oasis Studio and Gallery. The fair will celebrate the art of tattoos, feature live demonstrations and artist talks, and host live music and food trucks at the Foundry Art Centre.
Molly Pehle is one of the artists featured. She is co-owner of St. Louis’ Sign of the Times. She has been tattooing for 13 years.
“Tattoos still have a stigma that keeps some away,” Pehle said. “But the industry has found ways to integrate with the fine arts community, and that has helped spread awareness.
Pehle was at the opening night and was taken aback.
“It is very impressive,” Pehle said. “The lighting is great and the glass walls are a nice touch. It is going to be beautiful for the convention.”
Jessica Mannisi is the Foundry’s director of art and exhibitions. She said the Foundry’s mission is to show artworks of all types and expose them to the large range of art that there is.
“We always try to keep it fresh and interesting and show different perspectives,” Mannisi said. “We pretty much cold-called the entire state to see who would be interested.”
The Foundry’s main gallery is currently split into two, with the first third of it looking like a tattoo studio. Guests will walk into a seating area, fashioned to look like a waiting room, with original watercolor flash sheets displayed on the walls and books about tattoos to read.
The rest of the gallery is devoted to the photos themselves. The photographs, taken by photographer Mary Van Winkle, are grouped by location so guests can immerse themselves in one tattoo studio or another as they meander through the room.
Spaced throughout the room are pedestals which display synthetic arms, hands, and yellow rubber ducks, each tattooed by featured artists. Approximately 10 synthetic arms and hands are available for purchase at the Foundry Art Centre, and the 30 ducks will be sold through an online silent auction. All the proceeds from the tattooed ducks go to the St. Louis chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse.
For more information about the exhibition, visit foundryartcentre.org.
On display
Studios featured in Missouri Ink at the Foundry Art Centre, located at 520 N. Main Center in St. Charles, are:
- Alchemy Tattoo Collective, St. Louis
- Amor Tattoo and Art Gallery, St. Louis
- Arch Nemesis Tattoo, St. Louis
- Divine Tattoo Parlor, Kansas City & Kearney
- Electric Unicorn Tattoo Studio, Kirkwood
- Enigma Tattoo & Body Piercing, St. Louis
- Frenchtown Tattoo Company, St. Charles
- Good Times Tattoos & Piercings, Jefferson City
- Hawthorn by Butterbee Tattoo, Hannibal
- Heartland Tattoo, Overland
- Immortal Ink Tattoo Gallery, St. Louis
- Iron Tiger Tattoo, Columbia
- Liberation Tattoo, Springfield
- Oasis Studio & Gallery, St. Louis
- Old Souls Tattoo Parlour, Kansas City
