Sean
On a mission to bring tattoo art into galleries
“Not to sound corny but the course has changed my life. The biggest success for me is being able to stand in a room with people I felt were my seniors/idols and know that I had something to offer, shaking hands and working out how we can both benefit each other. I have something of the most influential people in my industry on speed dial and I know that I’ve earnt that.”
Sean is positioning tattooing as a serious, accessible art form through publishing, writing for INKED! magazine and community education, including a book with Pen & Sword.
Since graduating from the MA programme, @Sean Colgrave has quickly established himself as an emerging voice in the UK tattoo scene, using publishing, writing and community education to position tattooing as a serious and accessible art form.
Publishing with Pen & Sword
Sean is currently writing a book with Pen & Sword, The Tourist’s Guide to Tattoos. The book explores why people tattoo themselves, combining ancient history, lived experience and cultural commentary to position tattooing as a meaningful, human practice rooted in identity, healing and belonging.
Writing for INKED! Magazine
Alongside his book, Sean is a contributing writer for INKED! magazine, where he explores tattoo culture. You can read his article here.
Arts Council Community Workshops
Working with the Arts Council, Sean is delivering tattoo-focused creative workshops in his local area. These sessions introduce participants to tattoo design and allow them to safely experience the tattooing process using adapted machines, opening up the art form to new audiences.
A True Make Happeneur
Sean is the perfect example of a creative who came to the programme with a passion for tattoos and made it his mission to introduce this art form to the wider world. He truly represents the Makehappeneur spirit - turning creativity into cultural impact.
