The bachelor's thesis deals with the topic of modern tattooing which has, thanks to its destigmatization and popularization, becoming a more popular practice as well as occupation abroad as well as in Slovenia. Life stories and experiences of tattoo artists are at the forefront of the text; the majority of the thesis centers especially around woman representatives of the field, who were poorly represented and the minority of this world until recently.
In the first part the bachelor's thesis draws out the problem of sexism and discusses the existence of the glass ceiling for women in work places, which used to be primarily dominated by men. The thesis briefly outlines the history of tattooing in the so-called western world, describes modern tattoo studios and occupational hierarchies that exist within them. Special attention is given to a more detailed presentation of tattooing in Slovenia, Slovenian tattoo studios and tattooists, who are represented in the thesis as artists and craftsmen/ craftswomen. The central part of the thesis is based on ethnographic work and information collected on the field, especially interviews with five interluctors who are engaged with tattooing occupationally and one interluctor who is the manager of one of the tattoo studios in Ljubljana where women also work. The chosen tattoo artists presented in this work shared their life stories, experiences and opinions about the modern tattoo scene, industry and status specific for woman representatives of this occupation. The bachelor's thesis also explains the term mainstream as understood in the modern tattoo scene and positions it into the world of tattooing. It also touches on the changes which have occurred within the field of tattooing, especially exploring the importance social media has for the modern tattoo scene and promotion of women (and men) in this profession. A special attention is given to the relationship between woman tattoo artists and their clients, which to a certain degree also reflects the status of women in tattooing.
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