Ceci n'est pas un tatouage

I am a heavily tattooed academic art historian, based in London. My work is primarily concerned with the history of Western tattooing, and the artistic status of body art and body modification practices, including tattooing, body piercing and cosmetic surgery. I apply art-theoretical and art-historical methodologies to the study of the modified body specifically as an art object rather than a site for psychological, psychiatric, anthropological or ethnographic interest.

I write a bi-monthly column for Total Tattoo,give public lectures on tattoo history and related topics, work as a freelance writer and broadcaster for both radio and television, and teach both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the University of Reading.

Beyond tattooing, my research interests include lowbrow, outsider, kitsch and erotic art & visual culture; internet and digital art; and the art, music, culture and philosophy of inter-war Paris.

I am currently writing a book called 'Tattoo: An Art History' for IB Tauris, due for publication in 2014.

This is my photoblog.

For more about me and my academic work, see http://reading.academia.edu/MattLodder.

Send me messages and questions. Academic enquiries and innapropriate flirtation equally welcome. I can also be reached by email via matt@mattlodder.com.

[Photos of me]