The JCCSF to Present New Exhibition SKIN DEEP: THE ART OF TATTOO

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) announced today Skin Deep: The Art Of Tattoo, a new exhibition in the Katz Snyder Gallery, Monday, October 3 through Friday, January 20, 2017.

Skin Deep explores the ancient art and cultural traditions of tattoos, featuring tattoo-making traditions from ancient cultures through today's contemporary tattoos, including how the Jewish perspective on tattoos has evolved. The JCCSF will celebrate the edgy exhibition with a free, public event on Wednesday, November 2, 6 - 9 p.m., featuring food, music, tattoo demonstrations, live art installation and more. The event will also feature a film screening of Ed Hardy: Tattoo the World, featuring local tattoo legend Don Ed Hardy, followed by a conversation with the authors of Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos, Isaac Fitzgerald and Wendy MacNaughton, exploring the convergence of Bay Area tattoo artists and chefs. The event is free to the public, but reservations are required. RSVP to arts@jccsf.org or by calling 415.292.1233.

"San Francisco has long been a hotbed of tattoo activity and as tattoos have become a mainstream part of fashion and self expression, the JCCSF is an ideal space for the community to explore topics that may have once been thought of as taboo or controversial," said Barbara Lane, Director of Arts & Ideas. "With this exhibition and the event on November 2, we're opening our doors to thought leaders, tattoo enthusiasts, and, of course, the wider San Francisco community in all its diversity."

Skin Deep is organized by JCCSF Curator of Exhibitions, David J. de la Torre, in collaboration with co-curators Juan Puente and Takahiro Kitamura.

According to de la Torre, "Since the 1970s San Francisco has been at the epicenter of a tattoo renaissance. Skin Deep is meant to provide a rich educational experience while playing tribute to some of the Bay Area's most accomplished contemporary artists who have made significant contributions to a greater understanding and appreciation of this ever popular art form."

Accompanying the exhibition is a special site specific installation inspired by tattoo traditions created by local artist and master printmaker, Paul Mullowney. Large-scale woodcuts and etchings will be created and pasted directly to the gallery walls in a performance piece culminating at the November 2 event.

The Katz Snyder Gallery is located on the second floor of the JCCSF and is open free to the public: Monday through Thursday: 8 am to 10 pm. and Friday through Sunday: 8 am to 6 pm. For additional information, visit www.jccsf.org.

More about Skin Deep: The exhibition's historical section highlights American, Japanese and Pacific Islander tattooing with fine examples of tools and modern tattoo machines including American, traditional Japanese hand tools or nomi and finely crafted Samoan hand tools such as 'au and sausau.

Emphasizing the important contributions of San Francisco Bay Area artists to the growth of tattoo culture worldwide, the contemporary section of the exhibition features over 20 regional artists who have become well established in this burgeoning field, many of whom have technical and fine arts training.

The JCCSF has been serving the Bay Area since 1877 with programs that help individuals and the community to flourish. A second home for San Franciscans of all backgrounds and beliefs, the JCCSF welcomes more than 5,000 guests each day to world-class cultural events, a state-of-the-art fitness center, outstanding preschools and after-school enrichment, and hundreds of inspiring educational, recreational, social and wellness programs for all ages. The JCCSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose programs are made possible through the generous support of the community.

The JCCSF is located at 3200 California Street. For more information, visit www.jccsf.org.

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