Description

From the first white woman ever tattooed in the United States to the portrait of every LDS prophet etched into the skin of a famed tattoo artist, the history of Mormon tattoos is long and storied. While their very existence may seem contradictory, tattoos containing Mormon motifs have become a method for countless Mormons across the spectrum to express their heritage and identity. Additionally, Mormonism’s largest faith no longer explicitly forbids the practice, leading to a seeming uptick of tattooed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this session, we will explore the history of Mormons’ relationship with body art—both institutionally and culturally. We’ll observe current and historic trends in tattooed Mormon iconography while drawing comparisons among similarly-sized demographics in the United States. Come for the photos of sick tats, stay for the engaging discussion of Mormon expression, and leave edified with your next tat idea.

Speaker

• Ethan Gregory Dodge (he/him)