Ink in the Lines
An Australian War Memorial touring exhibition
The touring Australian War Memorial exhibition, Ink in the Lines, shines a light on personal stories and experiences of Australian veterans through the use of tattoos.
Many members and veterans of the Australian Defence Force have tattoos, and while their reasons for getting tattooed are as varied as the people themselves, self-expression and belonging play a part.
Throughout the exhibition a common unifying purpose for getting ’inked‘ emerges: to remember.
Inscribed on skin are their identities as veterans, their unique experiences, overcoming adversity, the bonds of family and friends, the commemoration of loss, and acknowledging the experiences that make us who we are.
The Memorial’s Curator of Oral History, Film and Photography Stephanie Boyle, photographer Bob McKendry and videographer Stephen Toaldo captured oral history interviews and portrait photography documenting the stories of veterans and their tattoos. Many of the images and stories collected also form part of the Ink in the Lines exhibition.
‘I hope this exhibition helps visitors engage with the Australian military in a way they probably haven’t before, and see that everyone has an important story to tell and that some stories can be written on skin,’ Ms Boyle said.
Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson said Ink in the Lines is a contemporary exhibition showcasing Australia’s modern veterans and their families, who through their tattoos commemorate the people, events and experiences that have shaped their lives.
‘The experiences of present-day veterans, and their loved ones, are unique and often intensely private. There is no more personal way to preserve a memory of a deployment, or highlight what their service has meant to them, than to have it tattooed. I would like to thank the veterans who participated in the exhibition for offering their stories,’ Mr Anderson said.
More information on the Memorial’s Tattoo Project and the Ink in the Lines exhibition (including locations and dates) is available on the Memorial’s website.