Announcing OIA’s Immigrant Solidarity Tattoo Contest
The Ohio Immigrant Alliance is launching the Brave Of Us Tattoo Design Contest, calling on all tattoo artists and apprentices to express what it looks like to be in solidarity with immigrants at this moment in history. The contest’s themes include Family & Love; Freedom & Safety; Bravery & Strength; Unity Across Differences; and Reclaiming Identity & Culture.
“Our tattoos have meaning,” said Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance. “They represent family, faith, and other meaningful parts of our lives. Tattoos also transcend cultures, races, languages, and backgrounds. The Trump administration and police agencies have tried to criminalize people with tattoos, but we won’t let them. Tattoos are an outward expression of our inner feelings. They represent beauty and love, pain and survival. We’re holding this contest to reclaim the meaning of tattoos, and our right to express ourselves on our bodies. We can’t wait to see tattoo artists’ interpretation of what it means to be in solidarity with immigrants at this moment in history.”
WHAT: Tattoo design contest, sponsored by the Ohio Immigrant Alliance as part of the Brave Of US Coalition.
WHO: Tattoo artists and apprentices from around the United States can submit up to three designs for possible selection.
HOW: Design specifications, file requirements, judging criteria, and other details are available at ohioimmigrant.org/braveofus, along with the design submission form.
PRIZES: One winner will receive a $500 prize; 5 runners up will receive $250 each.
SELECTION PROCESS: A panel of artists and tattoo experts will review the entries and choose a top ten. The public will then vote on the final selection of one winner and 5 runners up. To participate in voting, sign up for the OIA email list or follow us on Instagram.
TIMELINE: March 15: contest opens. June 30: submission deadline. July: Judging Committee chooses finalists; public voting beings; August: winner and runners up announced.
OUTCOMES: The winning designs will be made available as free downloadable flash for tattoo artists and customers nationwide. They will also be sold as a limited-edition temporary tattoo booklet and other merchandise to fund OIA's immigrant protection work.
The contest is led by Dexter Komakaru (@DXTROSE), an Ohio visual artist of Mexican and Native American migratory lineages, and connected to a nationwide campaign called Brave Of US.
“Tattoos and the way we carry our culture on our bodies predate the current colonial story we are living in. In the same way, so does human migration, bodily autonomy, self-determination, and freedom of movement. These are all concepts that are much older than the U.S. border itself, and the modern laws being used to criminalize immigrants and migrant communities.” said Komakaru, Project Manager of the #BraveOfUS Tattoo Contest. “It is the duty of our lifetimes, right now, to rewrite the story we are being given. This contest is just one part of community harnessing our creative power and potential to shift larger narratives towards a future of liberation for all.”
About the Brave Of US Coalition
Brave of US is a coalition of organizations and advocates around the country – people of all races, genders, and origins who value our freedoms and pitch in to help our neighbors. We reject this authoritarian regime’s efforts to spread fear based on what we look like or where we come from. We know that immigrants are integral to our communities, our culture, and our country. We’re joining together to truly make America the land of the free, where all of our families are safe, whole, and thriving – no exceptions. OIA is a member of the Brave Of US coalition.
About the Ohio Immigrant Alliance
Ohio Immigrant Alliance is a group of Ohio immigrants and U.S. born citizens working together to protect the dignity and rights of all individuals who choose to make Ohio their home — regardless of race, religion, gender expression, age, ability, and citizenship status. We engage in activism and volunteerism that connect communities across the state, expanding our voices and our collective power to build the world we want to live in, together.
We believe the act of migration is as old as time, and a basic part of being human. The decision to leave the place where you were born is often very difficult — one that takes tremendous courage and love. We welcome people who have come to Ohio from other places and know that now, Ohio is home.
About the Brave Of Us Tattoo Design Contest
Full contest details, judging criteria, and submission instructions are available at ohioimmigrant.org/braveofus.
