Originally posted on 18th March 2008

Ok, so it’s not in the league of having the Mona Lisa vandalised, or having the penis knocked off Michaelangelo’s David. It’s not even in the league of having someone throw paint over a Tracy Emin sculpture, but then again, would we notice the difference.

I’m talking of personal grafitti, the deliberate act of writing or drawing on your own body, either temporary or permanently. Tattoos have been part of our worldwide tribal culture since man first learned to use tools and ink over 4,000 years ago, we are familiar with tattoos, familiar with the tribal culture that they represent. Tattoos have been classified as body art for a long time, but only since the 19th century have words and slogans been included in tattoo art.

I myself have two tattoos, one on my right arm, which is a tribal design encircling my entire bicep, the second tattoo is a stylised bat on my right shoulder blade which, for obvious reasons, I can’t see on a daily basis, therefore I sometimes forget it’s there. The one on my arm I see everyday and depending on whether I wear long or short sleeves depends how much I see it.

I like tattoos, don’t get me wrong, I think they’re really sexy and can enhance a person’s body. I also think that the addition of tattoos to some people does the complete opposite. I refer to  Mr David Beckham. Once again he has defiled his body with the addition of new tattoo. This time it’s a Chinese proverb.

The proverb reads: “Death and life have determined appointments. Riches and honour depend upon heaven.” It’s another of his tattoos that are fragmented and unconnected to the rest, there is no general theme to his body art, it seems to be a case of where ever there is enough space. Tattoos are permanent, and if you get it wrong, can be very embarrassing, as in the case of his incorrectly spelled Hindi tattoo depicting the name of his wife Victoria, you can’t just rub them out and start again!

Tattoos as enhancements are great,especially when they follow a theme,  like on Logan McCree above, but I really don’t think that they do anything for David Beckham, in fact just the opposite, they detract from his physical beauty. I wonder how long companies like Armani will consider David Beckham as the face or crotch of choice for their product if he continues to ruin the very thing that people want to see.

I’m convinced the pose he was placed in for the Armani men’s underwear advert was deliberate to hide as many of his tattoos from the camera lens as possible.