Ink in the Lines

Behind every tattoo is a story.

The photographic exhibition Ink in the Lines shares the stories of Australia’s military veterans through their tattoos. Ink in the Lines steps outside the chronological military history narrative in favour of a thematic structure that portrays the deeply personal wartime experiences of Australian men and women through the medium of their tattoos. Each tattoo is as personal and unique as the story it conveys.

The exhibition engages with contemporary acceptance and normalisation of tattoos, exploring why Australian service personel get inked, and demonstrating how tattooing has become a significant part of Australia’s military history.

The flexible thematic structure allows the exhibition’s layout to be easily adapted to suit various exhibition spaces. Stunning photographic portraits, interwoven with personal and emotional interviews from the portrait participants, create a thought provoking experience which challenges assumptions about why people choose to get inked.

Ink in the lines covers 22 personal stories across all branches of the Australian Defence Force. The narrative is divided into four major themes: Identity & Belonging; Mateship & Family; Loss, Grief & Commemoration; and Healing. These themes collectively explain how and why tattooing has become an integral – and intricate – part of Australia’s military history.

Exhibition Video