Show Description:

Body of Work is a collaborative exhibition by tattoo artists Sara Mortier and Christina Villagomez that reimagines the traditional canvas of tattooing—the human body—through sculptural and object-based forms. By "tattooing" lifelike silicone skins, mannequin parts, and functional objects, the artists invite viewers to reconsider tattooing as both a deeply personal practice and a globally significant art form. Together, their works challenge perceptions of objectification, artistry, and permanence, positioning tattooing not just as body adornment, but as a living, evolving expression of human creativity.

Sara Mortier Artist Statement:

In Body of Work, professional tattoo artist Sara Mortier explores the artistry, symbolism, and evolution of tattooing. In this exhibition, the conventional tattoo medium - the human body - is both present and absent: replicated in lifelike silicone forms that serve as canvases for millennia of tattoo tradition. Each piece captures a moment in the history of tattooing, from ancient tribal designs and sailor flash to modern fine-line and expansive botanicals. The silicone surfaces—mimicking skin in texture and tone—invite viewers to not only touch the works of art, but reflect on the intimacy of tattooing as both a personal and cultural act. Through these works, the Body of Work celebrates tattooing not only as body adornment but as a global art form—one that continues to evolve while carrying the marks of its deep, human history.

Christina Villagomez Artist Statement:

The idea of our show, Body of Work, was to create a gallery experience centered around tattooed objects rather than their usual canvas. For me, this has provided an exciting opportunity to explore both my personal and professional art in three different avenues. Firstly, the art of tattooing in many ways has historically been the art of borrowing. American traditional artists would often look to classical fine art as inspiration for their own flash sheets, which would be simplified and redrawn over many decades until it became its own visual language. I see our show Body of Work as a challenge to invert that process and turn my tattoo designs into fine art. My personal style of tattooing is very influenced by the craftsmen of the art nouveau period taking ordinary objects and beautifying them to elevate the world around us in mundane ways. In this show, I am looking to celebrate that philosophy by creating bodysuit lamps as an attempt to marry tattooing with a practical item.
Finally, when I sit down to draw a tattoo for a client, I'm often thinking of the human body as the sum of its parts, so there's something really fun in taking the idea of objectification to a very literal place by "tattooing" objects such as mannequin parts or faux flesh. While it may borrow from its highbrow cousin freely, in many ways tattooing can seem to be a closer relative to folk art in both practice and spirit. My hope is that by experiencing tattoos in a different venue, we can shed new light on an art form that has grown with humanity since we lived in caves.