The Ink Link: Lea’s tattoos tell her story

The Ink Link is an ongoing project at CN&CO that showcases the diversity of tattoos. One of the great things about a tattoo is that it goes against the commonly-held viewpoint that “what you see is what you get”. There’s a misguided belief in certain quarters that only “some” people get a tattoo. We are putting paid to that perception through the stories showcased in the Ink Link. If you or anyone you know would like to be featured, please get in contact with us.

This Ink Link blog is by Lea Fourie, whose mother, Christelle Colman, is a good friend and colleague to us at CN&CO. Here’s Lea’s story:

I got my first tattoo when I was 17. I was on holiday in Paris with my mother, my best friend, my god-mother and my god-sister. After my friend, Skye De Pontes, and I were adventuring through the city we decided to meet up with my family at a dive bar close to our apartment. I had two very strong gin and tonics. My god-mother cracked one of the funniest jokes I’ve heard in my entire life and I let out a ridiculous cackle. The man sitting behind me (God bless his soul and ears, respectively) made a sarcastic, light-hearted comment that that was the most beautiful laugh he has ever heard. I cackled, once again, and noticed that this French man was sketching. I asked him about his sketches and soon discovered he was a tattoo artist. I booked my first tattoo session right there.

The next morning, we made our way to his studio on the other side of Paris, and lil underaged me got a tattoo. Of course, my Afrikaans dad was not pleased. I took a break for about two years, and when I turned 19 and moved to Cape Town, I started building my collection.

Tattoos, to me, have always been an expression of my identity. Growing up, I was quite shy and struggled to express myself authentically and fluently. Tattoos, and creativity, was one of the few spaces where I felt at home. People often ask why I get so many, so quickly or so regularly, and to that I always respond that I feel more like myself when I get to where art and artistic expression meet on my skin.

I enjoy the community around the art of tattoos. I enjoy the aftercare and design of it all.

Most of all, I enjoy taking ownership and bodily autonomy over what I decide to put on my skin. Nothing makes me feel more empowered when I get to decide how I decorate my body, and that is also reflected in my fashion and excessive collection of rings.

Getting tattoos is not only a way I get to tell my own personal story and celebrate my identity, it is also a way for me to celebrate my own independent and authentic self.

Sadly, I forgot the name of the private studio of the lovely French stranger who did the my first one. I got a few done at a local private studio in Gardens throughout my years, Wes from @nicealternative, three done at Cape Electric Tattoos, and lately I have been going to Raoul Goetze at Palm Black, Cape Town.

My tattoos are mainly of animals, floral and natural elements, and a few words. I enjoy finding meanings in everyday things: my chest tattoo, for example, is based on the vineyards of Durbanville, my hometown.

My first tattoo is a simplistic lion on my bicep. (My star sign is Leo and my name, Lea, in Latin means lioness.)

Inspiration

My tattoo style is heavily inspired by design movements, notably the Art Nouveau style – specifically artists such as Gustav Klimt and Mucha – and the Art Deco movement. I enjoy the geometric and energetic style of these visual arts, as well as the natural objects and long, sinuous lines. The arches and ‘vintage’ feel of these movements also feel timeless for me and I enjoy the organic-ness and sensuality of each respected art movement.

Currently, my tattoos are mainly on my upper body: my arms and my chest. When I turn 25, I would love to get a back piece. I am still deciding if I want to venture down to my stomach and legs, but alas, I won’t be surprised if future me runs out of space (hehe).

There was a brief time where I was pressured into getting my tattoos removed, for the sake of another’s opinion and for the sake of living a possible future that I could never fit into – and those few months I have never felt more lost as a person. I remember lying on the laser table and absolutely crying my eyes out, obviously because tattoo laser removal hurts a lot more than one could imagine, but more importantly, I was starting the grieving process of losing myself. Luckily, I never went back and I am not surrounding myself with individuals who feel that my tattoos are something I should get rid of anymore.

I have also fixed most of the fallen soldiers, such as my chest tattoo that is located over my heart, and I have vowed to never put myself in that position again.

Sense of community

One of the things about tattoos that people tend to miss is the sense of community surrounding them, from the conventions to the lovely tattoo parlours. Even having a stranger ask about your tattoos makes you feel seen and welcomed. I am an individual who feels that modern-age technology and relationships are often way too individual-focused: any space that welcomes an attitude of collectivism is one that I embrace with open arms.

Also, I do believe the stigma surrounding tattoos is constantly changing. Just like any other culture, tattoo culture remains dynamic and ever-growing, and personally it is one that I love being part of. I am not covered (as some of the pioneers in the field would say) but I do feel more seen when my tattoos are showing.

However, as controversial as this might sound, I do believe that being patient with starting a tattoo journey is crucial. If I was exposed to tattoo artists at a younger age, I would’ve gotten some silly ones that do not reflect my personality at all. For example, I made a bet with my dad that if the Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup, I would get a springbokkie on my thigh. Safe to say I did decide against it, as funny as it would have been.

Growth is inevitable

Patience, as with anything in life, is a virtue, and I am already considering covering up a few tattoos just for the sake that I’ve outgrown them. But, this is one last thing I would like to reiterate: tattoos are a reflection of oneself, and it is fine to outgrow a few over the course of your life. Covering up or changing is not something to be ashamed of, in fact, it is something to celebrate because it naturally is a sign of growth.

I do believe that tattoos are something that everyone should embrace. Even though they are essentially permanent, I do feel that any sense of self-expression and individuality should be more celebrated in today’s day and age.

My friends often call me a sticker book or a scrap book, and I wear that nickname with honour, because I love the fact that my skin gets to tell a visual short story of Lea Fourie.