The Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) is seeking individuals with tattoos to participate in the upcoming tattoo exhibition. The exhibition focuses on how tattooing can be used to make the body a space of reclamation from the normative social constructs of beauty, gender, and respectability. We ask for applicants to send clear images of their own personal tattoos and the stories behind these acts of body reclamation and acceptance and love for oneself through the art of tattoos (e.g. tattoos that cover up scars from injuries, self-harm, or surgeries, stretch marks, to help someone with body dysmorphia, etc.). Participants must be willing to have the tattooed portion of their body photographed and share their stories through conducted interviews. However, these photographs and shared stories can be displayed anonymously in the exhibit.
Eligibility
This call is open to anyone who has tattoos and is willing to share images of their tattoos and the story behind them as it relates to the exhibition’s theme of body reclamation.
Applicants can submit a maximum of three different tattoo entries for consideration.
Applicants can only submit images of their own tattoos.
All submissions must be complete, or they will not be considered for exhibition.
Guidelines
Online entries must be received by 11:59pm on December 10, 2023
Submissions must include all requested information, including images of the tattoos and a brief statement about the tattoo and how it relates to body reclamation
Label files submitted, including image files, with your first and last name, file type (i.e. JaneDoe _Image1)
If your submission is selected, you will receive an acceptance email on December 22, 2023.
Selected tattoos and stories will be contacted by AMUM’s assistant director to set up photography sessions of the tattoos and an interview to tell the story behind the tattoos. These photography sessions and interviews will be scheduled between January 2nd – 19th, 2024
Photos that are not taken of the tattoos and interviews that are not conducted by 5:00 pm on January 19th, 2024 will not be featured in the exhibition.
Calendar
Nov 13 – Dec 10, 2023 Open call submissions
December 10, 2023 11:59 pm entry deadline
December 22, 2023 Acceptance notifications
January 2-19, 2024 Photographs and interviews done of participants
April 6, 2024 Exhibit opening reception (exact time TBD)
