March 2011

Artists paint on all sorts of canvases. During the month of March at VALISE, the human body is the canvas of choice. Showing is Vashon's own tattoo artist of renown, Paco Rollins. According to his website, "Paco Rollins dwells on a misty, unknown island in the middle of stormy seas, where he sits alone in his garage, and builds world famous tattoo machines." Paco will enliven the gallery with works on canvas as well as exhibiting relics and tools from his many years in the trade. 

Featured artists include artists from Sea Change, and Seattle tattoo parlor Lucky Devil South, including Ernie Gosnell, Paco Rollins, Michael Ray, Cameron Dammit, David Dean Wilcox, Leah O'Sullivan, Casey Buxton and Maggie Smith. Featured art includes handpainted side show banners, paintings, furniture and assemblages. Themes range from oriental, western, military to side show and pin-up girls.

Since before Neolithic times, humans have used their own skin as canvas. Then and now, designs inked onto the dermis layer of the skin signify bravery, fertility or status. They may be simply decorative or deeply spiritual. Tattoos pledge love or protect the wearer by way of magical properties.

By showing art that usually graces traditional tattoo parlors in an art gallery setting, VALISE hopes to confront the stereotypes of tattoos and those who are tattooed. The show opens First Friday, March 4 and runs through the month.

VALISE gallery is open every Saturday from 11 am – 5 pm and by appointment.  To call for an appointment, please contact VALISE member Nan Joy at 206.463.6569. VALISE is located at 17633 Vashon Highway SW, on Vashon Island, just a quick ferry ride from West Seattle, Washington. Click here to find us on the Vashon Map.