'You're Not An Artist, So You Don't Know' Gatekeeping In The Tattoo Industry | Inked Discussions

Welcome to Inked Discussions, where we recruit the industry's top artists to define, debunk and opine on some of the hottest topics in tattooing. This week, we brought in Ink Master's Jon Mesa and Aaron Davis to discuss gatekeeping, something artists (including Jon) are accused of frequently. They discuss the origins of gatekeeping, its prevalence in the industry and how mass consumption of tattoo related content on shows like Ink Master affects client perceptions of the process.
If you have a topic you'd like to see artists discuss in a future video, let us know in the comments!
JON MESA: / jonmesatattoos
AARON DAVIS: / aarondavistattoos
WEBSITE: www.inkedmag.com/
FACEBOOK: / inkedmag
TWITTER: / inkedmag
INSTAGRAM: / inkedmag

[@cbuckholt13]

Gatekeeping in any industry is really out of fear someone is better than you. Get confident and teach!!

[@GiftedYoungOne]

So good to see Aaron on this platform!!

[@tattoostevesmith3935]

Learning in the 70s was VERY different than learning today! We really had to struggle for any info and then had to figure out what was real and what was misdirection 😵‍💫

[@loustorie2183]

yeah because american trad is hard thats all use did in 70s and probably still the only style you can do

[@AwokenEntertainment]

these guys seems like great honest tattoo artists, would trust to get ink from them just based off their mindsets..

[@loustorie2183]

The dude in glasses is very average at best i wouldnt let him touch me personally

[@untilthen...373]

I appreciated this topic. I do think the discussion needs to continue with other artists (older artists and newer artists especially) to get their perspectives and maybe eventually a panel discussion of steps the community can actively take to bring more artists in…maybe even how they can come alongside people who aren’t where they should be to start an apprenticeship and give them applicable steps to do until they can get one or call around and refer them to people who are actively looking for apprentices. There also needs to be more discussion of accessibility for those that can’t afford an apprenticeship, apprenticeships that pay and those that don’t, etc. I think if that information was accessible then that would help sift through those that truly want to be an artist versus those that are looking to be the next IG famous artist. I loved seeing how Jon’s opinion is still pretty much the same from the last time he talked about it but it’s grown and changed a bit as well. And I especially appreciated the touch on tattoos on melanated skin. More of that!! We need to highlight that more!!!

[@nobiz]

Take a shot every time Jon says “ya know” you would be dead

[@femmefataleracer]

thank you for posting g this discussion….i wish you guys were around when i was trying to g to get into the industry…i was forced to go another route because of gatekeeping, i made a career from the alternative, so much so that i can finally get back to tattooing and truly enjoi it. as a black lesbian, the gatekeeping was strong! i couldn’t even sex my way into an apprenticeship…i worked in shops, and worked harder than the apprentices with counter presence and knowledge of the individual artists…but it wasn’t enough to learn the way i would hav preferred to. collected your mags since day 1. love you guys!

[@tonyedmisten5067]

I.ve been a tattoo artist for 30 years. Done a classic apprenticeship under an old school artist. The reason for the old school gate keeping was lack of business. Back in the day only about %5 of people had tattoos. Whereas at least %75 of peeps have tattoos. You had a shop...someone opens a shop next door...cuts into your bottom line. So it wasn't so much gatekeeping as protecting your lively hood.

[@crookedmothh]

I’m a queer black aspiring tattoo artist and I totally understand these viewpoints and gatekeeping in the tattoo industry. It’s hard for someone like me to get an apprenticeship. Awesome video as always!

[@BeatAssDude]

I hate tattoo artist who say I have to earn a spot on my body. Um no it’s my money and body I’ll get it where the fuck I want

[@emmabussey9595]

I need to know tattoo artists opinions’ about clients bringing in reference photos/styles from other artists. I personally love certain styles and designs from certain artists, but most of the time they are states/countries away and not accessible for my lifestyle/travel budget. To specify, this is not just picking a flash page from instagram and stealing art, this is moreso about liking tattoos made originally by handpoking but wanting it from a machine, or even just a general style that someone wants replicated from an artist they can access

[@xRamZx]

I'd like to hear artist's take on people getting cultural tattoos that aren't associated with that particular culture.

[@hiFunko]

I'd like to see artists talk about how technology has changed the industry over the years (in terms of equipment, inks, etc.) for better or worse.

[@brianpite0893]

Years ago Huck Spaulding wrote a book on doing tattoos and he was called scumbag of the industry. I bought that book.

[@felix-ve8jk]

That's a name none of these new "tattooers" know but they want to complain about gatekeeping and talk about they need an apprenticeship. RIP Huck. Just missed his birthday a couple weeks ago

[@grownupgoth]

Never considered numbing cream, that could prevent some pain with large pieces.🤔

[@Lenslows]

I’m currently building a portfolio I feel like my art isn’t good at all. I’m putting my heart and soul into this. And I’m as motivated as ever. But damn is it frustrating too think how hard it will be to get into a shop

[@loustorie2183]

Iff your art is shit aint no one paying you you'd be a scratcher at best

[@anasmith8800]

Yo! Is that Bakura’s necklace!??!

[@DiabolicalAngel]

Woohoo a new video! :)

[@orlandobonilla6903]

I know

[@xjuanx92]

Gatekeeping is a natural instinct. Its not exclusive to any industry or a reflection on ones personality. It's about your life experience, and age in life. There's a point in ones life when someone has fulfilled there goals and a point when they are willing to share IMH

[@CodyLewJiuJitsu]

Yaa Know!!

[@erikadowdy2382]

I LOVE INKED VIDEOS ❤

[@PhoenixFit2024]

I watched this whole video and I still don’t understand what gatekeeping means in the tattoo industry. They were all over the place.

[@j_me]

It doesn't really seem like they know what gatekeeping means tbh

[@ssebasgoo]

People don't seem to want to teach there knowledge.

[@femmefataleracer]

gatekeeping means exactly what it says, keeping knowledge and this industry out of reach of people trying to get in…gatekeepers in the tattoo industry in america have traditionally been white men, so they found two guys that went around those gatekeepers and forged their own ways.

[@loustorie2183]

​@@femmefataleracer let me guess you're a black sexist

[@AeonZhang]

💫✨🌟❤️🌟✨💫

[@wiwingmargahayu6831]

zamzam water

[@PhysicsXL]

This is why I dislike tattoo artist

[@felix-ve8jk]

then why are you here?

[@loustorie2183]

​@@felix-ve8jkbecause they're a poor bottom feeder trying to put down things they cant afford to help them sleep better at night

[@thehighhide]

idk ink master ssn1 had some shiiitty artists

[@yagamigoesberserk]

Wwwwwww

[@SexMusicPlants]

But, do YOU know?