Sailor Jerry’s Ink City @ The Big Chill

In the 1930’s, Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins, an independent dark humoured prankster with a fiercely independent mind, set out to redefine the nature of contemporary tattoo art. A large proportion of his designs have become assimilated with the ‘traditional’, his legacy regarded as a milestone in the history of tattooing. The ethos under which he operated, the devil-may-care attitude, the ‘ultimate rebellion against the squares’, was a reflection of the times he was in during the growing tensions before and during WWII.

Last weekend saw the arrival of Sailor Jerry’s Ink City at The Big Chill Festival in the rolling hills of Herefordshire. A display of all things Sailor Jerry’s, the artwork, tattoos, attitude and rum, Ink City was a non-stop furore. During the hazy sun-filled daytime, from its prime position looking out across a sea of festival-goers, shops and stages, Ink City provided much to keep visitors satiated. The surroundings were littered with Sailor Jerry’s art, in particular contributed to the scenery and atmosphere of the meticulously run 1930’s style tattoo parlour.

The efficiency and skill of the Artists from London’s ‘Extreme Needle’ tattoo was ample enough to set any doubts or fears to rest. Those who had the hindsight to book beforehand (and were in a fit condition to attend) had the chance to enjoy receiving a beautifully crafted tattoo. Any inebriated stragglers who wished to partake in the fun had content themselves with some free transfers, many of which did, soon effectively turning The Big Chill into a Sailor Jerry canvas. Alongside the tattoo studio was a vintage cinema kitted out with Sailor Jerry’s memorabilia and showing the newly released ‘Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry: The Life of Norman Collins’, a feature length documentary exploring the nuances of the life of a man who has become an iconic figure in the body art world.

When evening fell, the ambience intensified and as the crowd expanded the speakers cast out music from a selection of young talent. On Friday, guests were treated to sets from Scotland’s We Promised Jetpacks, and the instrument-swapping Fiction. Saturday saw music from Goldhawks, and the yearning indie-prog of Racehorses, a surprising but charming band, who blended Emerson, Lake and Palmer with foot-stomping sing-a-longs. Sunday’s The Boy Who Trapped the Sun and Not Cool were a perfect warm-up for surprise guests Chapel Club.

If you were unlucky enough to miss out on visiting Ink City at The Big Chill, then fear not, as the team will be returning to Bestival on 9th – 12th September along with White Rabbits, I Blame Coco, Chrome Hoof, Errors, Bookhouse Boys, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Egyptian Hip Hop, Skibunny and more to be announced…

www.sailorjerry.co.uk
http://www.extremeneedle.co.uk/
http://www.bigchill.net/
Words by Julian von Nehammer
Photos by Jane Stockdale