A new exhibit exploring the interplay between consent and tattoos is set to open at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre.
Tattooist Abby Nowakowski and Agnes Curator and Program Coordinator Charlotte Gagnier open their new exhibition, We Are Magic: A Love Letter to Our Tattoos, from Dec. 1 to March 28. The opening on Dec. 1 features a free reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Agnes.
The exhibit uses trauma-informed care to create an open space for guests to receive a permanent tattoo, read a love letter about tattoos, or receive a temporary tattoo.
Trauma-informed care is a framework for human services based on the knowledge and understanding of how trauma affects people’s lives and the services they need. Artist and oral historian Tamara Santibañez provided Nowakowski with the knowledge of trauma-informed care to help people view tattooing as liberation.
“Tamara Santibañez’s Tattooing as Liberation Work has been my manual on trauma-informed care. Like, what is informed consent? How can we advocate for our clients? What are some things we can offer as options that maybe our clients don’t know,” Nowakowski said.
Nowakowski wants to make consent the focal point of their tattoo work. The exhibit asks what consent looks like when verbal cues aren’t present. Nowakowski emphasized the importance of open communication when getting tattooed, and provided examples such as offering lots of different tattoo options, offering breaks, and looking for body language.
Gagnier worked with Nowakowski to highlight them as a local Kingston artist and provide an open space for people curious about tattoos.
Gagnier received her first tattoo from Nowakowski when the pair met several years ago. When the opportunity to curate a new exhibition arose, Gagnier proposed the project to Nowakowski, and they decided to create an interactive space in the form of an interactive tattoo parlour.
“It’s quite a robust installation because we’re creating a full space that people can come and do multiple activities,” Nowakowski said. “There are offerings of temporary tattoos, an interactive community wall where visitors can come and dream up tattoos, and a small publication that we created, so people can sit and read other folks’ tattoo love letters.”
Gagnier and Nowakowski’s goal for the exhibit is to make a space where people feel they belong.
“I’m a queer artist, and I’m also neurodivergent, so a lot of spaces don’t always feel like they are welcoming. That’s always a priority for me when I’m shaping any space. Traditionally, tattoo parlors are very intimidating, maybe not so magical,” Nowakowski said.
Whether a guest receives a tattoo or not doesn’t matter—the exhibit is meant to be an invitation into the world of tattooing. Gagnier said she acted as a for Nowakowski and aimed to bring their vision forward.
Nowakowski said the relationship between the tattoo artist and the client can have an imbalance of power.
“During appointments, clients are full of adrenaline—they’re excited to be getting a tattoo; they’ve been waiting for so long, and that excitement is really awesome and powerful. It makes me excited,” Nowakowski said. “We also want to have moments of clarity and give them space to truly have a chance to reflect on the permanent decision they’re making.”
They said tattoo artists hold, and they want to share that power with their clients. It gives the person a sense of control they don’t always have as the client.
“Tattooing is very close to me, and I truly believe there’s magic in tattooing,” Nowakaski said. “The intimate conversations with clients show me the power tattoos hold. I write about that magic and how having the control to put something so close to your heart permanently on your body can make you feel protected.”
Furthermore, the love letters featured in the exhibit show what it feels like to get a tattoo. As clients read the letters, they can learn the stories of different people’s tattoos and their meanings.
Corrections
A previous version of this article incorrectly suggested visitors to the exhibit could drop in for a tattoo when in fact Nowakowski is only tattooing on specific days through appointments, which have been filled up at the time of this update. Incorrect information appeared in the Dec. 1 issue of The Queen’s Journal.
The Journal regrets the error
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