White Space

At the World Tattoo Convention held in London in September this year,one of the biggest topics of discussion was white tattoos. City-based travelling tattoo artistes and brothers,Vikas and Mickey Malani who were the only Indian representatives at the convention,have now brought the art form to the country. More importantly,the duo are fast finding a customer base with people who do not wish to express their thoughts and emotions loudly. “Unlike a conventional black or coloured tattoo,these works of art are meant to represent the emotions and beliefs that people hold personal,” says Vikas. Not meant for prying eyes,they have been endorsed by the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Kate Moss in recent times. In fact,Mickey mentions that tattoos like these are meant to hide in plain sight without too many people raising eyebrows or asking questions about them.

“There is nothing different from a normal black-pigmented tattoo. In fact the white pigment has been used to give a highlight and depth to normal tattoos. When we use only white ink,it creates the impression of a faint scar on the body. More than that it is only visible under close inspection,” he says. These tattoos,he says,look good only on people with fair or wheatish complexion. “A tan or dark skin complexion negates the subtle effect that these tattoos portray,” he adds.

With white tattoos becoming a popular medium of expression in the USA and UK,Malani now says that more and more youngsters are coming in to get inked in Pune and Mumbai as well. “There is a spiritual aspect to it also,” he says,adding,“People like to wear their beliefs literally on their sleeves without being too loud. Couples also come to get inked with white tattoos. The idea being,if the relationship doesn’t work out,it doesn’t leave them with a visible permanent reminder.”

As far as the creation is concerned,he says that the variation is in the thickness of the pigment. “However we do recommend that people not expose it to direct sunlight. Being a very delicate art form,direct exposure can cause the tattoo to fade within days. Of course at the end it is for the people to decide,” he says.