Tattoos as Visual Narratives of Personal and Social Identity
Session
Art and Digital Media
Description
This paper explores tattoos as visual narratives that embody both personal and social dimensions of identity. Drawing on the studies of Francois and Luzelle Naude (2024) and Mary Kosut (2000), it examines tattoos as a form of narrative communication that combines selfexpression, memory, and cultural belonging. The research applies a qualitative theoretical approach through literature analysis to investigate how body art serves as a medium of meaning-making and self-definition. Findings indicate that tattoos function as symbolic acts of autonomy and visual storytelling that connect individual experience with collective identity in contemporary society.
Keywords:
tattoos, narrative identity, visual communication, self-expression, body art, social belonging
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-982-41-2
Location
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
Start Date
25-10-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
26-10-2025 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.37
Recommended Citation
Gjoni, Arana and Kosova, Berna, "Tattoos as Visual Narratives of Personal and Social Identity" (2025). UBT International Conference. 9.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2025UBTIC/ADM/9
Tattoos as Visual Narratives of Personal and Social Identity
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
This paper explores tattoos as visual narratives that embody both personal and social dimensions of identity. Drawing on the studies of Francois and Luzelle Naude (2024) and Mary Kosut (2000), it examines tattoos as a form of narrative communication that combines selfexpression, memory, and cultural belonging. The research applies a qualitative theoretical approach through literature analysis to investigate how body art serves as a medium of meaning-making and self-definition. Findings indicate that tattoos function as symbolic acts of autonomy and visual storytelling that connect individual experience with collective identity in contemporary society.