CALL FOR ARTISTS
Ink As Weapon, Ink As Grace
Stefano Pisci, Chief Artistic Officer of Tokenance in collaboration with Porto Montenegro and celebrity tattoo artist Friday Jones, are looking for artists from all over the globe, to be part of an event titled Marks Of Protection: a visual exploration of self-determination. Artists are called to create works around themes of protection, security and talismanic power.
THE ISSUE
Today, the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation. Sadly, tattooing is often weaponised by traffickers to mark their victims and keep them psychologically chained in shame.
(To counter this, London-based) Medaille Trust works with trained tattoo artists to transform these crude visual assaults into something beautiful, a symbol of power. As Stephen Hay, Director Of Police And Justice puts it, “These unwanted tattoos serve as prominent reminders of the trauma victims have faced, which is why the campaign is helping clients to redesign their tattoos and reclaim their bodies.”
INSIGHT
INSPIRED BY ANCIENT TATTOO ART
Human trafficking was a terrifying reality of common life in the 15th century when the Ottoman Turks swept into the mountainous Balkans and ruthlessly plucked children from villages, never to be heard from again.
To save their children, the tribes began to tattoo them as young as two years old with intricate shapes drawn from pre-Christian Illyrian culture. These marks appeared to the superstitious invaders as rendering its’ bearers untouchable: tattoos of protection.
QUIET DEFIANCE
From Morocco to Mozambique, tribes of Africa used tattoo symbols to designate feelings of beauty and belonging within their families and communities. Colonization actively disrupted tattoo practices, criticizing, shaming and even legislating against it, erasing deep cultural identities in the process.
PROPOSAL
We are looking for artists to express powerful images of resilience, creativity and transformation using either their own personal lexicon of protective symbols or incorporating ancient cultural tattoo design in the work.
50% of the proceeds will go to the charities Medaille Trust. 25% will go to the Artists themselves and 25% will go back into Tokenance, to fund future initiatives.
THE EVENT
MARKS OF PROTECTION
Guests are invited to explore the Marks Of Protection art show with stunning fine art expressions on Balkan tattoo amulets from top artists of the region. A video wall showcasing the ongoing digital art collection at auction will be featured as well as informative text on the fascinating history of the designs and cultures explored by our world wide coterie of digital artists. Temporary Balkan body art will be “on hand” to enjoy for a weekend of inspiration.
When
Saturday, June 24th 2023
Where
The Naval Heritage Collection, Porto Montenegro
TIMELINE
Application process: ONGOING CALL
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Follow @tokenance.art , @friday_jones and on Instagram and Twitter.
Write a one-page (maximum) expression of your artwork highlighting its dedication to ideas of protection and transformative power.
- Submit your work and expression of interest.
SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE
Submit your expression of Interest and Artwork to Marks Of Protection at MarksOfProtection@gmail.com
PARTNERS INVLOVED
The Charities Medaille Trust
Fine Art & Photography Exhibition Porto Montenegro
Digital collectibles Exhibition Tokenance
Marketing What A Wonderful World Guide
INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK
Make A Difference Today
- Maybe you aren’t a creative? Don’t worry, get in contact today and lets see how we can make a difference together.
- Do you know of someone in trouble?
- Do you know of someone that would like to receive a cover up?
- Do you have any questions about the above call for artists?
for any queries feel free to contact us info@tokenance.io
