To many, he’s the godfather of American tattooing, the original outsider artist.
Between 1940 and 1973, Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins inked his distinctive tattoos on the flesh of visitors to his Hawaii shop. His distinctive style combining bold lines and careful coloration is still imitated today and can be found today on thousands – perhaps tens of thousands – of people.
“It’s pure folk Americana and it has a rich history,” said Erich Weiss, of Philadelphia, who wrote a book and directed a documentary about Collins. “People now consider tattooing as an art form, but back then they didn’t see it that way. “
Now Center City’s Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts is preserving Collins’ work for prosperity with the same care they’ve put into historic documents and other masterpieces of art. They’re finishing up the project in time to mark the 100th anniversary of Collins’ birth this year.
Read the full article in the Philadelphia Inquirer to find out what the conservators are doing to the unusual archives. The art Samantha Sheesley is working to preserve left an impression on her that she decided to make permanent.
