Synopsis

Covered explores the world of heavily tattooed women and female tattoo artists in the United States. Within the last decade, tattoos have exploded in popularity, becoming a commonplace adornment, as well as a popular topic for reality television (Miami Ink, Hart & Huntington, LA Ink, Marked). Once only a man’s domain, women now comprise fifty percent of all tattoo customers, and are becoming tattoo artists in larger numbers within this male-dominated industry. While the television shows focus on tattoo design selection and collector’s stories almost exclusively, Covered takes a larger, sociological perspective on what it means to be a heavily tattooed woman in today’s society—from the perspective of the women themselves. Many anthropological documentaries on the topic focus exclusively on men; therefore, Covered provides an important addition to the history of tattooing. Finally, while a great deal of the tattoo literature and documentary films focus on the so-called deviance or extreme subcultures of tattoo collecting (gangs, prisoners, soldiers, native tribal members); Covered presents the ways in which everyday heavily tattooed women must negotiate social sanctions from strangers, family, friends, and employers, in order to enjoy their love of tattoo artwork. Covered is a feature length documentary with chapters on tattoo designs, navigating social reactions, tattoo industry apprenticeship processes, the experiences of female tattooists, and tattoo conventions. Covered features music by Vagiant Boston, Scary Cherry and the Bang Bangs, Mydols, Yokahama Hooks, The Blowouts, Rise of the Goners, Shit City High, and Mata Dolor.

Covered. March 2010. HDV 720p. 58.12 minutes.