Inked: Explore the art of tattooing
Explore the art of tattooing and the collaborative relationship between the tattoo artist and their client in the Inked exhibit Sept 12 - Nov 30, 2025, in the library's Alice C. Sabatini Gallery. We have worked with Topeka tattoo shops and artists including Olympus Ink, Looking Glass Tattoo and Matryoshka Tattoo to share the art and knowledge of tattoo artists working today. The exhibit also includes art on loan from the Bert Grimm Tattoo Museum in Kansas City.
In recent years tattoos have become a regular form of self-expression. People seek out tattoos for many reasons such as celebrating a milestone or in remembrance of a loved one. (Image to the right is the Goddess Athena from Olympus Ink.)
Tattoos are an artform that continually blends old and new. While tattooing equipment and trends change, tattoo artists and their relationships to their clients remain a constant. The finished tattoos showcase the artistic expression and skill of the artist combined with the client’s vision.
In addition to the art, the physical space of tattoo shops set the tone for a client’s experience. Each shop has a personality shaped by the artists, their work and their process. The choice of music, lighting and shop design becomes the backdrop experience for the client receiving the tattoo. Similarly the design of tattoo shop can serve as the introduction to an artist. A tattoo studio’s use of “flash,” pre-made drawings that showcase an artist’s style, give clients a sense of their artist’s style and their specialties.
Inked events
Attend exhibit events to broaden your Inked experience.
- Opening Reception: Meet the Artists | Mon, Sept 15 | Noon - 2pm | Gallery
- Live Tattoo Demonstration | Sat, Oct 11 | 2-4pm | Gallery
- Live Tattoo Demonstration | Sat, Oct 25 | 2-4pm | Gallery
- Live Tattoo Demonstration | Sat, Nov 1 | 2-4pm | Gallery
- Tattoo Tales: Artist talk with Judith White | Sun, Nov 9 | 1-2pm | Marvin BC
