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America's core cultural reference books,
professional journals, newspapers and magazines
recognize tattooing as a well-established art
form that, over the last three decades, has
undergone dramatic changes. In the 1970s, artists
trained in traditional fine art disciplines began
to embrace tattooing and brought with them
entirely new sorts of sophisticated imagery and
technique. Advances in electric needle guns and
pigments provided them with new ranges of color,
delicacy of detail and aesthetic possibilities.
The physical nature of many local tattooing
establishments also changed as increasing numbers
of operators adopted equipment and procedures
resembling those of medical clinics --
particularly in areas where tattooing is
regulated by government health agencies.
The cultural status of tattooing has steadily
evolved from that of an anti-social activity in
the 1960s to that of a trendy fashion statement
in the 1990s. First adopted and flaunted by
influential rock stars like the Rolling Stones in
the early 1970s, tattooing had, by the late 1980s,
become accepted by ever broader segments of
mainstream society. Today, tattoos are routinely
seen on rock stars, professional sports figures,
ice skating champions, fashion models, movie
stars and other public figures who play a
significant role in setting the culture's
contemporary mores and behavior patterns.

During the last fifteen years, two distinct
classes of tattoo business have emerged. The
first is the "tattoo parlor" that glories in a
sense of urban outlaw culture; advertises itself
with garish exterior signage; offers "pictures-
off-the-wall" assembly-line service; and often
operates with less than optimum sanitary
procedures.

The second is the "tattoo art studio" that most
frequently features custom, fine art design; the
ambiance of an upscale beauty salon; marketing
campaigns aimed at middle- and upper middle-class
professionals; and "by-appointment" services only.
Today's fine art tattoo studio draws the same
kind of clientele as a custom jewelry store,
fashion boutique, or high-end antique shop.

The market demographics for tattoo services are
now skewed heavily toward mainstream customers.
Tattooing today is the sixth-fastest-growing
retail business in the United States. The single
fastest growing demographic group seeking tattoo
services is, to the surprise of many, middle-
class suburban women.

Tattooing is recognized by government agencies as
both an art form and a profession and tattoo-
related art work is the subject of museum,
gallery and educational institution art shows
across the United States.
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