IG: @screamy.art

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Tattoos & Body Modification Through the Lens of Mania

My thesis explores the connection between body modifications, specifically tattoos, and mania. My experiences of mania affect my art in various ways. I feel emotions very strongly, and my manic episodes often cause me to make impulsive decisions. The physical artifacts left from these impulsive decisions, for me, are the stick-and-poke tattoos that I gave to myself during my episodes.

When I’m manic, I feel as though I need to change a part of myself drastically, which often leads to body modifications. During manic episodes, I, as well as many others who experience mania, will cut, bleach, or dye my hair, and give myself tattoos and piercings.

My collection of paintings is meant to delve into not only my personal interest in tattoo illustration, but also to express the deeply personal and volatile state mania puts one in. My thesis follows the timeline of a manic episode, starting from the impulsive action of stick-and-poke tattooing, and extending to the regret and eventual self-love that comes with bearing a physical mark from mania.

Bio

Nico White is a BFA Illustrator with a passion for mixed-media paintings, portraits, sculptures, and collage books. Nico’s deep love for nature and animals drives him to create a wide range of works in various styles and forms of media. His personal pieces are formed around personal experiences and strong emotions, encouraging interest and theories from his audience. Nico White, as an artist, wants to encourage curiosity in others, to stop and look at small details, and ultimately to guide attention to the often overlooked and under-appreciated moments of beauty that this world has to offer.