SKIN STORIES

PICTORIAL STORY

August 23, 2023

SKIN STORIES

Photography and story by Tony Reddrop
Introduction by Melanie Meggs

We are incredibly fortunate to live in a world full of stories - fascinating tales of people, places and passions that create the ever-evolving tapestry of our lives. And while some stories pass by in the blink of an eye, others remain with us for a lifetime.

Meet Tony Reddrop, a photographer whose creative journey knows no boundaries. Raised in Melbourne, Australia, Tony has made New Zealand his home for the past 14 years. Passionate about photography, Tony is dedicated to exploring and capturing the stories of those around him.

Tony has dedicated himself to exploring and capturing the people and places within his own environment - a small city called Palmerston North in New Zealand’s lower north island. He is an artist who is always on the lookout for meaningful projects - works that challenge us to look further into the story that lies behind the images. From creating powerful street portraits to documenting a small Greek Orthodox community for two years, Tony is always on the lookout for new and exciting projects limiting himself to using just one mirrorless camera with two prime lenses with settings at either f2.8 or f2.0, and only using available lighting.

Tony’s journey into photography began later in life, and his eight-year break from the artform has allowed him to come back with a fresh perspective and a more developed eye. His slow process of taking time to observe and think before taking a photograph is something that works for him and gives his work an extra level of depth and meaning.

Tony has been working on an ongoing series of portraits documenting the people and stories behind their tattoos. His project speaks to him on a deeply personal level as he strives to look beyond the ink, believing that by looking beyond the physical appearance of a person and into their unique story, we can gain a better understanding of who they are and why they have the tattoos they do. This series has allowed him to gain insight into a new community and form some incredible connections along the way.

I have always been intrigued by tattoos as an art form, but my fascination has gone further than that - I'm curious about the stories behind the people who have them.

What inspired them to get inked?
Is there a particular tattoo that has a deeper meaning?

To create a powerful visual, I envisioned a series of portraits that had the same aesthetic while each individual tattoo held its own strength. Furthermore, I wanted the portraits to tell the story of the journey that each individual took to be there, enhancing the strength of the overall series.

I originally knew a few people with tattoos, but it was an art exhibition at a friend's gallery called The Swamp that exposed me to a vibrant tattooed community. Through word of mouth and the help of friends, I began to connect with people and photograph them.

This series is about more than just presenting beautiful artwork on bodies; it’s about discovering the stories behind the people who are tattooed and understanding their individual journeys. I hope this series can help others to look beyond the artistry of tattoos and gain insight into the lives of those who choose to decorate their skin. This project is still going strong and it's on its own journey, much like the people I've already captured.

'James' - tattoo artist, strong man competitor, vegan, and non-drinker. © Tony Reddrop

'James 2' © Tony Reddrop

'Melsa' - Ko Melsa taku ingoa. "I am a non-binary trans parent, partner, and artist from Te Papaoiea. I have always felt like the body I was in was never really mine. Every time I get a tattoo, I feel like my body becomes more comfortable, and as though I am decorating the walls of my home. I've collected tattoos that are memorials, tributes, stories, or just stupid shit that I liked. I don't imagine myself ever really stopping getting tattooed." © Tony Reddrop

'Natalie' - “My favourite tattoo is a character I admire from a favourite novel of mine, Dune by Frank Herbert. It's of a Bene Gesserit warrior. The Bene Gesserit are ancient and adept organisation, an exclusive sisterhood whose members train their bodies and minds through years of physical and mental conditioning to obtain superhuman powers and abilities that seem magical to outsiders. Their leading mantra and meditation being "Fear is the mind killer". Why did I get tattooed? Because I find the concept of such a badass female organisation inspiring, and I feel empowered having those words on my skin.” © Tony Reddrop

'Katie Mac' - “My first tattoo was to cover scars. I was totally sucked in and began to get more. Getting tattooed became a sort of therapy for me. There was nothing more uplifting and rewarding than getting through a session and walking away with an awesome new lifelong decoration. That always felt, and still does feel, so real. To now be tattooing others and in the thick of my apprenticeship is completely surreal. It feels so giving and I'm so thankful I get to do that for people and send them off with their new decoration. To this day if I feel like shit a tattoo always sorts me right out.” © Tony Reddrop

'Georgie and Stevie' - “I started getting tattooed because I had friends doing it and I thought it looked cool. Now it’s a part of who I am, my family and our identity.
I want Stevie to grow up with a mum who’s confident in her own skin and is unapologetically herself, that’s now where I see the beauty in the work, I have on me and why I’ll continue to get tattooed.” © Tony Reddrop

'Josh' - a friend to Gareth and Gorgie. © Tony Reddrop

'Jake' - “So in the beginning tattoos to me had to have 'meaning behind them' whether that be a name of a passed family member or pet etc. As I grew older so did my love for art and the collection of it. Once social media really took off it opened the door to browse at tattoo artists throughout New Zealand and the urge to collect their art in the form of tattoo has since become a minor addiction.” © Tony Reddrop

'Stef' - “Tattooing started as a way for me to hide parts of myself that I didn’t like. The desire to show off my tattoos has always outweighed the desire to hide them...I think it’s really cool how tattooing can do that for someone.”

'Gareth' - “I have been immersed in the tattoo culture in the Manawatu and beyond for the last 20 years. I've been lucky enough to meet inspirational artists over the world in which I've built strong connections with. With these artists we share beliefs behind the art form, and it's allowed me to treat Tattoos as a type of meditation - this is where I turn pain into power.” © Tony Reddrop

'Gareth 2' © Tony Reddrop

'Joanna Etina' - Joanna is the wife of Nick, both are tattoo artists. “I’ve always felt like an alien, like I don't belong around others. Tattooing gives me my individuality while allowing me to be part of a large community. It’s given me many friends and my tattoos are a collection of their work. I’m thankful for tattooing and being able to give that individuality to others every day.” © Tony Reddrop

'Joanna Etina 2' © Tony Reddrop

'Nick' - husband to Joanna. “I've been tattooing for 7 years and have been interested in tattoos for as long as I can remember, so naturally, I went and got my first one done right after I turned 18. This was in my hometown in Schwetzingen, Germany. I was always fascinated by the process of turning an idea into a sketch, into a line drawing, into a finished tattoo and I idolized those who could make it happen. So, I started drawing and focusing my efforts around 'traditional flash'. As one of my mates actually ended up getting tattooed a design that I had drawn, it hit me like a truck. I could do this myself. So, I bought a cheap machine set, tattooed my leg and my mates at home and applied for an apprenticeship in a couple of shops in my hometown. And was turned down. I decided to take a leap year and come to New Zealand for some work and travel instead. On Stewart Island, while preparing for a three-day hike around part of the island, I ran into three heavily tattooed people at the pub. We got talking, and it turns out they had just opened a tattoo shop in Invercargill. I showed them a few of my paintings and the next thing you know we were hanging out back in the shop a few days later and they offered me an apprenticeship. Over the next few months, I learned the basics and got to tattoo a few people. One of the girls I got to tattoo I asked out to come join us for drinks after getting a tattoo at the end of the day. This was in 2016. We’ve been happily married since 2019.” © Tony Reddrop

'Nick 2' © Tony Reddrop

'Cha' - An incredible strong woman, who is giving back to so many, from experiences she has gone through in life. © Tony Reddrop

'Woody' - “I’ve always felt quite insecure about my body, I was always the small kid, tattoos have gifted me not only increased body confidence, but I have also made many friendships with tattooers and fellow tattoo lovers.” © Tony Reddrop

The work of Tony Reddrop is an incredible example of the power of visual storytelling - and by exploring the stories behind the tattoos of people from all walks of life, he has opened up a doorway into a community that many of us may never have seen for ourselves. His project is a reminder that there is always something to learn from those around us, and that if we look beneath the surface, we will uncover amazing stories that are worth sharing with the world. To see more of this project, check out Tony’s Flickr and Instagram page.

view Tony's portfolio

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