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Tattoos are no longer the exclusive preserve of drunken, rowdy members of biker gangs. Today, they are worn as proud body-art badges by people from all walks of life.
Sports stars, artists, professionals, students and others proudly display their tattoos and their meaning. Increasingly, many young women are decorating their bodies with tattoos that have a certain significance in their lives.
In this series, photographer Elizabeth Sejake features six women living in Johannesburg, who show off not only the tattoos on their bodies, but the meaning behind some of the designs
For Haji Mohamed Dawjee (30) the tattoo on her left shoulder, ‘Kill your darlings’ is all about learning to let go of some things you love in order to move on to new and better things. ‘If there is anything that goes to your head, doesn't keep you humble and makes you feel entitled, let it go – whatever it is, whether it's love, your career, anything. Don't be precious about it and strike it out,’ she said
Lauren Clarke (33) from Randburg always wanted to get a tattoo. She went through many designs, but none of them spoke to her. While on Pinterest, though, she found some Polynesian images and they immediately appealed to her. ‘I have always been connected to water, and water is the foundation of the Polynesian community. I started doing my research and discovered that all of the symbols – where they are placed, and what is placed next to them – weave together to tell a story. So I pulled out my pencils and started drawing my story. The first line across my shoulder is who I am, the second is who I am endeavouring to be. The big turtle represents life, and inside the turtle are lots of smaller symbols all coming together to show family.’
Chashe Kidd (29) from Melville has been fascinated by tattoos from a very young age, but she waited until she was 25 to get her first one. ‘I didn’t want to regret the decision of a rebellious tattoo, so I waited until I knew I was ready for the commitment of being tattooed. The most meaningful tattoo on me was the one done by my son for his seventh birthday. Few mothers can say that their children have physically tattooed them. Not all of my tattoos have meaning, but rather have been chosen to celebrate the beauty of the art form and the intricacies of tattoos.’
Lerato Moagi (25) from Newtown chose conception as the design for her tattoo. ‘My tattoo symbolises growth and everyday development. It begins with seeds (suggesting the brain and its ideology). The seeds are cracked open with roots coming out; the roots grow, forming into branches. That is the development of my life’s vision. The tree creates a heart in the centre, which signifies my name, Lerato (love), because without it I cannot achieve anything.’
Sue-Ann Cooper (43) from Randburg works for a big corporation, but many would not associate career women with tattoos. ‘Well, I’ve never been particularly good-looking and I've always had self-esteem issues. But ever since the needles first bit into my skin, I’ve realised that I'm pretty darn fantastic. I love the way the colours and designs make me feel. I’m more confident with them on my skin, and I'm always looking for chances to show them off. Thankfully, it’s not an issue at my place of work, but of course they can be covered up quite easily.’
