Anna Felicity Friedman: Tattooing’s Vibrant History, Ancient to Contemporary

On April 12, Anna Felicity Friedman will speak at Mia as part of the Friends Lecture Series, sponsored by the Friends of the Institute.

Friedman, who has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and at the University of Chicago, describes herself as an “interdisciplinary scholar, tattoo/body art historian, and tattoo collector.” She has studied tattoo history for the past 20 years, after discovering rare books on sailor tattoos at the Peabody Essex Museum. This interest/fascination has led to a 27-year personal experience of tattoo placement.

Friedman has traced the history of tattoos as far back as almost 40,000 years ago. At times tattoos have held the labels of deviant or taboo; but in many places throughout the world they have functioned as important cultural markers.

Free tickets are available March 15 for Friends members: artsmia.org; 612.870.6323. Tickets available March 17 for the general public.

Join the Friends of the Institute for an evening of body-art appreciation at the Minneapolis Woman’s Club at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, with wine, appetizers, and a new talk by Friedman. Tickets: $25; www.powerofink.eventbrite.com