Set Project: Artists Research-Ed Hardy

 For this project I wanted to look at several different artists in order to open my horizons and get inspired from different sources. 

The first artist which I will be looking at is Ed Hardy. The reason which I will be looking at Ed Hardy is because I am fascinated by his designs and they will be a source of inspiration for my sketches.

Ed Hardy

Don Ed Hardy is a Californian tattoo artist and print maker born in 1945. Since being a child he always dreamed of being a tattoo artist and decided to make this a reality by taking a tattoo apprenticeship whilst studying printmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI, n.d.). As a child his mother encouraged him to draw and even as a teen he would practise his 'tattooing' skills on his friends using pens and pencils. He managed to create his own technique when tattooing by merging fine art and Asian heritage and passed it onto younger artists. He and his wife also created Hardy marker publications which managed to publish over 25 books even one which is like a biography of Don which is called "Wear your Dreams: My life in Tattoos". Nonetheless Ed Hardy also lectures in universities and museums and showcases his work for non profit organisations as well. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the San Fransisco Art Institute and in 2004 "Ed Hardy" was launched which is what fascinates me most, his fashion line (DonEdHardyArt, n.d.). Christian Audigier who is a french business man made this achievable by closing a licensed deal with Mr.Hardy. Ed Hardy had the chance of going to Yale but turned it down and went to study under the tattoo artist named Sailor Jerry Collins and then to Japan to study under Horihide in order to enhance his legendary tattooing skills and embrace the Asian Heritage. He managed to tattoo the Japanese mafia which also greatly influenced his work. He was one of the first people to state that tattoos are used as a form of self expression and are not only found on prisoners and criminals. His tribute with fashion began before Christian's approach by having shirts in his tattoo shop featuring his designs. This collection was extremely profitable to him and made him even more known as celebrities would go on and wear his designs. What backfired at his was the fact that instead of spending his time on creating art he wasted it in court with Audigier as Christian stole money from Don and even went ahead to edit his designs and imprint them (Alabi, 2013). As a person I absolute love Ed Hardy's work as I believe it gives people edge and style (clothing wise) and yet even if it is something so simple as a shirt, pants or a hat it gives one confidence and makes them feel like a badass. I truly believe that yes the designs are absolutely fantastic and detailed but what amazes me with Ed Hardy and makes me passionate about his work is the fact that he truly shows that he is in love with his work and that he draws inspiration from many areas to create something that fits all. He also respects the morals of tattooing, respects history in my opinion but also showcased tattoos as art and a tool for expressionism and self love. Right now Ed Hardy is retired but mentors aspiring tattoo artists (Vance, 2009).

 Ed Hardy

Kim Kardashian and Zac Efron wearing Ed Hardy

Madonna wearing Ed Hardy

Ed Hardy tattoo

Paris Hilton wearing Ed Hardy cap

Ed Hardy wolf tattoo design

Reference List:

Alabi, M. (2013) Ed Hardy: From art to infamy and back again [online] CNN, Available at: <https://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/04/living/fashion-ed-hardy-profile/index.html> [Accessed 24 April 2021]

Don Ed Hardy Paintings (n.d.) Don Ed Hardy Biography [online] Available at: <https://donedhardyart.com/biography/> [Accessed 24 April 2021]

Sfai.edu (n.d.) Don Ed Hardy [online] Available at: <https://www.sfai.edu/bios/don-ed-hardy> [Accessed 24 April 2021]

Vance, A. (2009) Ed Hardy’s Tattoo Art Is Booty for Digital Pirates [online] Nytimes.com, Available at: <https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/us/13sftattoo.html?pagewanted=all> [Accessed 24 April 2021]