Process
How it was made
From the written record to the tattoo chair: how ten traditions found their way onto one leg.
Step 1Research
It began in the archive. Lars Krutak's India: Land of Eternal Ink opened a record most of India has never seen: tattoos as prayer, as protection, as identity worn on skin.
Photo: Baiga back tattooing, via larskrutak.com
Step 2Guidance
Through that record I found Amit Arjel, a tattoo artist and anthropologist who has spent years among these communities, learning their motifs at the source. He taught me what each mark carries, and helped shape the sleeve.
Step 3Design
Each motif was mapped to its community, its region and its meaning on hand-annotated design sheets, then drawn as stencils and fitted to the leg.
Step 4Tattooing and filming
Toronto artist Jas tattooed the sleeve over many sessions, every one of them filmed for the documentary.
