3:30p.m. 6th October 2008

One of the images from the tattoos and piercings exhibition at the University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery. Photo: Craig Wratton/contributed

Photo Gallery: “Tattoos and Piercings: a Human Canvas”

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From bikie tattoos to piercings, Celtic designs and glamorous artwork, a new exhibition on the Sunshine Coast offers a confronting, up-close look at body art in all its forms.

The “Tattoos and Piercings: a Human Canvas” exhibition will open at the University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery on October 16 at 6pm.

USC Gallery Curator Dawn Oelrich said the touring exhibition was a photographic exploration of the sub-cultures associated with tattoos and body piercing.

“The human canvas is an interesting concept that has usually been treated outside the usual artistic practice. But body art is now an accepted part of popular culture that cannot be ignored,” Ms Oelrich said.

“The images range from detailed close-ups of piercings, Celtic designs, Bandito bikers and tattooing application to fashionable and glamour subjects.

“Some of it is quite beautiful, but I have to admit some images are a bit confronting.”

Ms Oelrich said piercing was historically identified with royalty.

“Egyptian pharaohs pierced their navels as a rite of passage and Roman soldiers pierced their nipples as a sign of virility.

“Nowadays, everyone from rock stars and football players to grandmothers and the checkout boy at the supermarket could have some form of body art.

“Often body art is associated with an event – turning 18 or 50 – or to mark a major life change.”

The exhibition will continue until November 8 and admission is free.

The USC Gallery is open from 10am to 4pm, Mondays to Saturdays.