When the west picked up form tribal tradition
About
Blackwork derives from the Tribal tradition. It’s characterised by the sole use of black ink and is one of the most common styles around.
Origin
The transition from Tribal to Blackwork happened when tattoos become widespread in the west and were dissociated fromt their Tribal roots. The tattoos no longer needed to follow a specific tradition (like Polynesian or Maori), nor marked transitions and achievements. The spiritual side of the process was abandoned in favor of aesthetics and design.
This was a natural process and the lack of attachment to the traditions allowed individuals to determine their own designs and draw their own meanings. With this, tattooing wasn’t anymore a form of communicating with others but a tool for self-expression.
Design
This style has been constantly morphing. It evolved from simpler patterns (what most people associate with Tribal tattoos) to unique and complex tattoo designs (what people associate to geometric blackworks). Nowadays, Blackworks, define all tattoos that make use of only black ink (no shades of grey). You can find it to express anything, from geometric shapes mixed with animals, to full body parts painted black.
It’s important to understand the distinction between Blackwork and Black & Grey tattoos: blackworks are made using solely the color black and empty space (much like you’d see on a Tribal tattoo), while the black & grey is created using black ink and several shades of grey made via grey washing (diluting black ink in a fluid such as distilled water).
You’ll frequently find Blackworks mixed with other styles, such as Dotwork or Geometric, as this helps creating a more complex and pleasing aesthetic experience.
copyright:The Alpaca