Sea of Ink: Savannah Maritime Tattoos – Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum

Ships of the Sea will unveil Sea of Ink: Savannah Maritime Tattoos, an extraordinary exhibit showcasing the art and cultural significance of tattoos. Featuring more than a dozen Savannah-area tattoo artists and over 30 maritime tattoo collectors, Sea of Ink highlights tattoos as a meaningful art form and cultural movement.

With one-third of American adults having at least one tattoo, this visual language is rich for exploration. Sea of Ink presents the tattoo not just as body art, but as a powerful instrument for storytelling. Tattoos tell stories that often are deeply meaningful to the collector, and are a result of an artistic understanding between the tattoo creator and the collector.​​​

Conceived by Molly Carrott Taylor

Curated by Tania Sammons

Experience the Exhibit:

• Cultural Insight: Explore tattooing as a visual language and art form.

• Artistic Appreciation: Admire the intricate designs and craftsmanship.

• Stories: Learn about Savannah’s history of maritime tattooing.​​​​​​​​

Exhibit Elements:

• Savannah-based photographers Thomas Sanders and Mike Schalk bring the exhibit to life:

• Thomas Sanders photographs tattoo collectors, showcasing their maritime tattoos.

• Mike Schalk captures tattoo artists in their creative environments