A semiotic investigation of the graphic imagery by pioneer tattoo artists in KwaZulu-Natal with special reference to the Ramesar brothers

Abstract

This study focuses on the graphic imagery of tattoo artists in KwaZulu-­‐Natal with special reference to the Ramesar brothers. Various visual communication practices and theories are drawn upon to explain the imagery created by them. The literature review chapters of this study cover a brief history of primarily Western tattooing practices, as well as a discussion of the meaning of tattoos from a visual semiotics perspective. The fieldwork component of the study involved conducting and analysing a series of qualitative in-­‐depth interviews with interviewees who were either tattooed by, or are family members of, the Ramesar brothers. The purpose of the interviews was to explore the personal experiences and motivations that contributed to the work of these tattoo artists. The study contributes to visual studies in South Africa in the sense that the empirical data confirm the pioneer status of the Ramesar brothers as graphic artists.