News

Video: ‘Tattooed republicans' exhibition opens in Belfast

An image from the Independence on the Skin exhibition. Picture by Mal McCann.
An image from the Independence on the Skin exhibition. Picture by Mal McCann. An image from the Independence on the Skin exhibition. Picture by Mal McCann.

A NEW exhibition featuring tattoos detailing the stories and lives of republicans and ex-prisoners has opened in Belfast city centre.

The Independence on the Skin exhibition, which has opened at the Red Barn Gallery in Rosemary Street, features 35 pieces of work from award-winning Italian photographer, Erik Messori who travelled around Ireland to photograph the colourful illustrations.

The tattoos, which belong to both men and women, feature everything from weapons, a map of Ireland and a list of hunger strikers to tributes to Glasgow Celtic, and images of Eric Cantona and James Connolly.

The exhibition details the stories of the featured individuals' lives, their fallen friends and past actions.

Frankie Quinn, Director of Red Barn Gallery, said tattoo and photography lovers would particularly enjoy the exhibition.

"They are stark, black-and-white and grainy and I suppose, they tell a story," he said.

"There's a couple of strange ones".

Mr Quinn said the photographer found those to photograph by word-of-mouth and by visiting tattoo parlours in Belfast, Derry Cork and Dublin.

The Independence on the Skin exhibition runs at the Red Barn Gallery on Rosemary Street in Belfast city centre until April 23.