Originally published in 1997, Bodies of Subversion was the first history of Western women's tattoo art, providing a fascinating excursion into a subculture that dates back to the nineteenth century. Now revised and expanded, it remains the only book to chronicle the history of both tattooed women and women tattooists. The new edition features expanded historical chapters and an added chapter on the new millennium, introducing dozens of artists, including Kat Von D, the most famous tattooist, male or female, in the world.
It chronicles the impact of reality shows on women's tattoo culture ; breast cancer survivors who tattoo their mastectomy scars or reconstructions ; and therapeutic uses of tattooing for women leaving gangs, prisons, or situations of domestic abuse. With nearly two hundred photos, Bodies of Subversion is an essential guide to the culture of tattooed women.