The work of artist pair Jade Tomlinson and Kev James, better known by their professional moniker Expanded Eye, crosses all kinds of boundaries. Their extensive portfolio includes paintings, installations, sculpture, and street art. Their work can also be found on human skin in the form of unusual tattoos.
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After meeting his wife, the client on the left wanted a tattoo that signified true love. He also wanted to use the bravery and resilience of his WWII-era grandparents as inspiration.
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This tattoo is on a Greenpeace member and rescue worker at the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Her experiences led her to want a tattoo that spoke to the triumph of nature and the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.
The tattoos combine elements of cubism and modernist art with linework, geometric forms, and typography to create unique images. Unlike many traditional tattoos, these also make use of empty space and flat areas of color, creating a dynamic overall composition that compliments the wearer’s body.
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(via Colossal)
Each tattoo is approached as a personal project, just like any other of Tomlinson’s and James’ projects. Instead of simply replicating a design onto a client’s skin, the tattoos are developed along the lines of narrative and meaning—the pair even tell clients directly not to “overly concern yourself with aesthetics.” Instead, the clients share with Tomlinson and James a story with personal meaning, and the story is depicted in images, shapes, and letters, creating a one-of-a-kind tattoo with personal significance. The amount of trust required might sound alarming to some, but luckily, Tomlinson and James have some serious talent to back up their work, and each piece is a truly original piece of art.
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You can see more of Expanded Eye’s work–and there’s a considerable amount–on their website, as well as on Facebook. If tattoos aren’t your thing, you can also check out the variety of art prints available in their shop. Be sure keep up with new developments on their blog, where you can also learn some more of the stories behind the tattoos.
