We see it every where we turn...t-shirts, hats, pants, sweatshirts, shoes, cologne, sport drinks,even undies! All with the glitz and glamour signed by ED HARDY. But who is this guy? Does he really exist?
I am happy to say YES, Ed Hardy is alive and quite well. He has strong ties to Hawaii, too. He learned to tattoo under Sailor Jerry of China Sea Tattoo, Chinatown, Honolulu. Yes, Jerry really existed long before they slapped his name on a bottle of rum! Ed traveled to Japan to study under two different tattoo masters and brought the blend of Japanese art and Western tattooing back to California.
Wikipedia states:
Hardy pioneered the pop-culture tattoo-as-art space decades before the worldwide boom in tattoo art that permeates popular culture.In addition to showing his own works. Hardy has curated a number of exhibitions for both galleries and nonprofit spaces and lectures at museums and universities.His work has appeared in numerous periodicals, books, films internationally and clothing line.In 2000, he was appointed by Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown to that city's Cultural Arts Commission, and awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the San Francisco Art Institute
An honorary doctorate?? Not bad for an Iowa born, California raised child of the sixties!
Ed has given so much to the art world and to the world of tattooing. I've been honored to join a roast panel for Lyle Tuttle this spring along with Ed Hardy. Part of my plan was to ask clients who sport Ed-ware just what they know about him. I'm disappointed to say most everyone says 'who?' Who?WHO?? Oh, heavens! The contributions this man has made to not just the tattoo art world but to the world of art in general are immeasurable! Who??
This week it was announced that Ed is suing the distributor of his clothing line for breach of contract. His name and copyrighted arthave been splatteredonto sunglasses, cologne, panties, shoes, you name it! Like all court battles this will be long and it will probably get ugly.
In the meantime for those who are interested in a vital part of modern tattoo history Google the name of Don Ed Hardy. Sit back and read of the gentleman who made his mark long before a clothing line made him an everyday 'hot' item
This gentlemandeserves the honor of your attention.
DISCLAIMER: I was recently invited to appear on a local television program to speak about tattooing. During the taping of the program a fellow guest stated that the ancient tools used in creating his tattoo were cleaned by soaking in salt water. I nearly fell out of my chair! SALT WATER?? clean?? Not even close!
I asked the host of the program to post a disclaimer that this practice of salt water 'soaking' was NOT acceptable and a major health risk. The host and his director brushed off my protest and refused to post the disclaimer.
If anyone has read any of my previous articles you know that clean technique using STERILIZED needles and single service equipment is the only way to protect one's health. I've gone to great lengths in prior postings about the dangers of transmission of hepatitis through unsafe tattooing. And 'soaking' contaminated tools insalt water is about as unsafe as it gets.
I am more than disappointed in the casual attitude I received from the people involved with the television program about this serious issue.
