Women in Tattooing Through History Female Tattoo Artist

From ancient history to Maud Wagner and the modern-day tattoo shop

Women have been involved in tattooing for thousands of years. They have worn tattoos as expressions of identity, decoration, protection, spirituality, lineage, and belonging. Women have also been involved in the tattooing process, passing on techniques, running businesses, mentoring apprentices, and carrying cultural traditions.

However, the popular historical narrative about tattooing is strongly biased towards men. This narrative wrongly emphasizes the rise of the modern Western tattoo shop, which is a recent development in the long history of tattooing. It also erases the contributions of women who passed on their skills orally or through family ties, or whose work was recorded by male contemporaries.

Who was the First Female Tattoo Artist?

There is no single answer to the question “Who was the first female tattoo artist?” in the context of global tattooing history. Maud Stevens Wagner is generally considered the first known professional female tattoo artist in the United States, and Jessie Knight is her British equivalent. However, they were far from the first women to ever tattoo someone, and their contributions should be evaluated in the context of a much larger history.

The Problem With the Phrase “First Female Tattoo Artist”

The phrase “first female tattoo artist” itself is problematic. First, the first tattooed woman is not the same as the first woman tattoo artist. Second, the first named practitioner is not necessarily the first ever practitioner. Third, a modern commercial tattoo artist is not the same as a traditional cultural specialist.

The first two points are explained by the fact that tattooing has a long and complex prehistory that is poorly understood. There is often little or no information about the people who tattooed before the emergence of commercial tattoo shops. Third, the status, training, and techniques of traditional tattoo artists could vary considerably from one culture to another.

When it comes to ancient history, researchers are often unable to distinguish between tattoo artists and their clients. When it comes to traditional societies, tattooing was often a family or communal tradition that was passed from generation to generation. This does not mean that no women were involved in tattooing before Maud Wagner – it means that they were not recognized as professional tattoo artists.

Women in Ancient Tattooing Traditions

Ancient Egypt & Nubia

Some of the best evidence for ancient tattooing comes from Egypt. Archaeologists have uncovered mummies bearing markings characteristic of tattoos. Some of the tattoos on these mummies are dated to around 3351-3017 BC, making them some of the oldest known examples of tattooing in the world. Many of the tattooed mummies are female, and the tattoos themselves are said to have been associated primarily with women. The significance of these tattoos remains unclear, but scholars speculate that they could have had religious, protective, healing, or fertility-related functions.

Ancient Siberia & Central Asia

Some of the most well-preserved examples of traditional tattooing come from Siberia and Central Asia. The tattoos on the bodies of Pazyryk culture dwellers incorporate intricate designs, images of animals, and geometric patterns. Scholars have noted similarities between the tattoos of the Pazyryk people and the body art of modern-day indigenous groups. The discovery of the tattoos reveals fascinating details about the lives and beliefs of the Pazyryk people, but little is known about the specific role or status of tattoo artists.

Ancient Peru & the Americas

Tattooing was widespread across ancient Peru and the wider Americas. Research into tattooed mummies has uncovered many geometric patterns painted or etched into their skin. Researchers believe that many of these tattoos held personal significance for the owners, potentially serving as reflections of their status, life experiences, spirituality, and other factors. Similar to the tattoos of the Pazyryk people, the tattoos of the ancient Americas hold clues about the cultural significance of tattooing, but offer few details about the people who created them.

Indigenous Women, Traditional Tattoo Practitioners

Inuit & Iñupiaq Women

Among the Inuit and Iñupiaq, facial tattoos hold special significance in some cultures. Depending on the location, tattoos could be associated with female coming-of-age rituals, indicators of marriageability, or expressions of beauty and power. The tattoos were also used to denote protection and spiritual connection. Known as kakiniit or tunniit depending on the region, these markings were a part of a wider Inuit cultural heritage that is undergoing a vibrant revival.

Ainu Women of Japan

The Ainu women of Japan are also believed to have used tattoos as a means of marking their place within the community. Facial tattoos were traditionally used to indicate adulthood, beauty, power, and protection. Similar to the Inuit tattoos, Ainu tattoos served numerous functions and were highly valued by the women who wore them. Information about the beliefs and practices of traditional Ainu tattoo artists is limited, but the legacy of Ainu tattooing continues to inspire contemporary body modification enthusiasts.

Amazigh Women of North Africa

Women from Amazigh ethnic groups have a long history of using tattoos as markers of beauty, protection, and cultural heritage. Similar to the indigenous peoples of North America and Siberia, Amazigh women often wore tattoos on their faces, hands, and bodies for aesthetic reasons. Certain tattoo motifs were believed to have protective qualities and were used to indicate the bearer’s social group. Although this ancient tradition has largely disappeared, the cultural heritage of Amazigh tattooing continues to be appreciated today. It is important to understand that within one culture, tattoo motifs and styles could vary depending on a woman’s social group. Thus, it is best to speak about the cultural heritage of specific geographic areas within the Amazigh language family.

Above Image: "Maori woman, Rotorua, New Zealand," c. 1900–1920. Photo by Arthur James Iles. Public domain.

 

Māori Women & Moko Kauae

For Māori women, moko kauae – traditional chin markings – are an integral part of their cultural heritage. Deeply sacred, moko kauae markings serve to signify a woman’s connection to her ancestors and her role within the Māori society. Tā moko tattooing is a distinct cultural tradition, the origins of which are closely linked with the early history of the Māori people. Because of its unique significance to the Māori, tā moko markings are considered both sacred and deeply personal.

Cultural Appropriation of Traditional Tattoos

The renaissance of traditional tattoos among New Zealand’s Māori people has brought renewed interest in the Māori tattooing traditions from both locals and foreigners. While the revival of traditional art has been largely positive, it has also resulted in the proliferation of unscrupulous tattoo artists who seek to profit from New Zealand’s cultural heritage without understanding or respecting its significance. People wishing to obtain tā moko tattoos should be aware of the potential for scams and always conduct thorough research before selecting a tattoo artist.

Fijian Female Tattoo Specialists

The history of tattooing in Fiji is one of the oldest in the world, with evidence of traditional tattooing dating back thousands of years. Museum of Ethnography research has uncovered fascinating information about the role of tattooing in Fijian society. According to the research, female tattoo specialists held prestigious positions within their communities, and were sought after to make tattoos for women. The Fijian tattoo tradition is just one of the many examples of female tattooing excellence in history. In fact, the existence of female tattoo specialists in Fiji suggests that there were no societal norms dictating that tattooing was exclusively a man’s job.

Kalinga Tattooing & Whang-Od

Apo Whang-Od Oggay is one of the most famous traditional Filipino tattoo artists in the world. Coming from Buscalan in Kalinga, Whang-Od is best known for her innovative take on batok – a traditional Kalinga tattooing method involving hand tools. She is also one of the few surviving traditional tattoo artists in the world, and one of the few female ones at that.

While her contribution to the art of tattooing is immense, there is a reason why Whang-Od should not be considered the “first female tattoo artist” in world history. Far from being singular, the history of tattooing encompasses numerous cultural traditions. Each of these traditions has its own unique techniques, beliefs, and practices. By focusing exclusively on one tradition, one ignores the lives and contributions of other tattoo artists.

The Rise of the Western Commercial Tattoo Industry

Western commercial tattooing is a relatively recent phenomenon. It was born in port cities and flourished on fairgrounds and in sideshows. As the tattoo became more popular, tattoo shops started to emerge. The electric tattoo machine, invented at the dawn of the 20th century, played a major part in this process.

This is where the popular history of tattoos usually begins – with a discussion of the first Western tattoo shops. However, it should be noted that these shops were overwhelmingly male-dominated, and women’s contributions to commercial tattooing were often erased or underestimated. Where women did participate, they often did so in limited capacities. Examples of women who engaged in commercial tattooing include “tattooed ladies” – women who performed on sideshows and in circuses.

Olive Oatman, c. 1863. Photo by Benjamin F. Powelson. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Public domain.

Olive Oatman Was Not a Tattoo Artist

Olive Oatman is often wrongly cited as one of the first female tattoo artists. In reality, she was a victim of a lethal family feud, who was kidnapped and raised by the Mojave tribe. After returning to white society, she became a celebrity, her blue facial tattoo being the subject of much speculation.

Oatman was one of the first tattooed white women in the United States, and her story was widely popular. However, this popularity did not extend to her autonomy – Oatman’s life was controlled by men, and her own statements about the meaning of her tattoo were often dismissed. There is no evidence to support Olive Oatman’s status as a tattoo artist of any kind – she will always be remembered as a woman, a victim of circumstances beyond her control.

Above image:

Maud Stevens Wagner, c. 1907. Photo by The Plaza Gallery, Los Angeles. Library of Congress. Public domain.

Maud Wagner America’s First Known Professional Female Tattoo Artist

Maud Stevens Wagner is remembered as the first professional female tattoo artist in the United States. Born in 1877, Wagner was an aerialist and a contortionist before discovering tattooing. At the Fair in St. Louis in 1904, she met Gus Wagner – a famous tattoo artist, who agreed to teach his craft to Maud in exchange for a date. While Maud learned Gus’s tattooing techniques (“hokey-pokey”), she continued to engage in her work as a performer. Maud and Gus often performed together in vaudeville shows and circuses, as tattooed performers in need of additional tattoos.

Maud Wagner’s contribution to the art of tattooing was significant, although she was far from the first woman to tattoo someone. She was a professional tattoo artist and an innovator, overcoming many of the obstacles placed before her by society. Maud and Gus were also among the last great hand-tapped tattoo artists, as the electric tattoo machine soon rendered their method obsolete.

Lotteva Wagner and Family Apprenticeship

Maud and Gus Wagner’s daughter Lotteva was also a tattoo artist, following in her parents’ footsteps. Lotteva’s story serves as a reminder that women could become tattoo artists in the past without the benefit of formal training. Lotteva learned the craft from her mother, Maud Wagner, and her father Gus also played a role in Lotteva’s education. Family apprenticeship has long been the way for many young tattoo artists to learn the craft, although it often meant that a woman’s status as an apprentice was linked to her father’s or her husband’s status as a master tattoo artist.

Millie Hull The Bowery Tattoo Businesswoman

Mildred “Millie” Hull was one of the most famous female tattoo artists of the early 20th century. Coming from burlesque and sideshow culture, she carved a niche for herself as a tattoo artist and later ran a successful tattoo parlor in the city’s Bowery district. Millie is often remembered as the first woman to open a tattoo shop on New York’s Bowery.

Above image:

Betty Broadbent, the "Tattooed Venus," Sydney, 1938. Photo by Ray Olson, PIX Magazine. State Library of New South Wales. Public domain.

Betty Broadbent Tattooed Performer and Tattoo Artist

Betty Broadbent, also known as the “Tattooed Venus,” was a tattooed performer who gained fame for her extensive tattoos and her role as a tattoo artist. She paraded her tattoos when she was young and later toured with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Broadbent also worked as a tattoo artist in Montreal, San Francisco, and New York. She was one of the few women in the industry to achieve such an illustrious career while also advancing the perception of women in tattooing culture.

A tattooed performer turned tattoo artist, Betty Broadbent broke numerous barriers for women in the tattoo industry. By publicly advertising her tattoos, engaging in the industry as a worker, and successfully selling her services, she demonstrated that women could thrive in the tattoo world. Broadbent was the first woman to be inducted into the Tattoo Hall of Fame in 1981.

Jessie Knight Britain’s First Prominent Female Tattooist

Jessie Knight is widely considered Britain’s first prominent female tattooist. Coming from a family of performers, Jessie learned tattooing from her father and took over his tattoo shop at a young age. She later opened her tattoo parlor in several different British cities, gaining a reputation as an innovative and successful tattoo artist. Jessie was known to tattoo largely female clientele and designed many of her own flash tattoos.

She continued to pursue her art well into her sixties, and in 1955, she won the second prize in the Champion Tattoo Artist of All England contest in London. Her legacy lives on, as Museum Wales safeguards a collection of Knight’s tattooing equipment, flash tattoos, artwork, and photographs.

Jacci Gresham and Black Women in American Tattooing

Jacci Gresham is known to be one of the pioneers of tattooing for black women in America. Coming from New Orleans, Gresham was one of the first African-American women to run a tattoo parlor. Her shop, Aart Accent Tattoos & Body Piercing, has been operating since the 1970s and is considered one of the city’s oldest tattoo shops.

Gresham’s place in tattooing history is inseparable from the history of discrimination in the tattooing industry. When it comes to black women, there were – and still are – numerous barriers to entering the industry. From sexism and racism to a lack of mentorship and opportunities, the challenges were numerous. Nevertheless, Gresham persevered and became a known figure in the American tattooing scene. In many ways, her contribution to the art of tattooing is immeasurable – by overcoming obstacles, she showed other women that it was possible.

Women in Tattooing From the 1970s to Today

While the first female tattoo artists were largely unknown, the 1970s saw the rise of women who were willing to promote their services and build long-standing careers. These women opened their own tattoo shops, promoted female-owned businesses, mentored aspiring tattoo artists, and participated in tattoo conventions. They also defined the styles of female tattooing that are still popular today.

The legacy of female tattoo artists lives on in the contemporary tattooing scene, which boasts a large number of women who continue to push the boundaries of the medium. The popular styles of today – realism, fine line, traditional, ornamental, illustrative, and experimental tattooing – all have female contributors. Moreover, the tattooing world is growing more diverse, and women of color, indigenous women, and other marginalized groups are carving spaces for themselves in the industry.

While much progress has been made since the days of Maud Wagner and Millie Hull, women in the tattooing industry still face discrimination today. Thus, a full account of the history of women in tattooing would be incomplete without a discussion of sexism, tokenism, gatekeeping, and other issues. The legacy of female tattoo artists should inspire us not only to remember the struggles of the past but also to recognize ongoing challenges.

Cultural Appropriation and Traditional Tattoo Designs

When it comes to indigenous tattoos, cultural appropriation often casts a shadow over the relationship between tattoo artists and their clients. Thus, it is essential to understand how a tattoo that you wish to get can be connected to a particular culture. In some cases, a tattoo can signify your belonging to a certain community, ancestry, social class, or other factors. Therefore, it is important to research and possibly consult with a member of that community before getting such a tattoo.

It is also important to understand that many traditional tattoos are deeply connected to the cultural traditions of indigenous peoples. Thus, it is disrespectful to appropriate them as “tribal tattoos.” If there are living descendants of the people who are connected to the tattoo tradition, it is disrespectful to ignore their voices.

In general, one should be humble and cautious when considering getting a traditional tattoo. It is important to do proper research and work with a qualified tattoo artist who shares your respect for cultural heritage and traditions. Remember that in many cases, you cannot take on the cultural identity of another person by simply getting a tattoo.

Tattoo Artists Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first female tattoo artist?

Maud Wagner is generally regarded as the first professional female tattoo artist in America. There is no known information regarding the first female tattoo artist in the world.

Was Olive Oatman the first female tattoo artist?

No, Olive Oatman was not the first female tattoo artist. However, she was a famous tattooed woman who did not tattoo others.

Who was Britain’s first female tattoo artist?

It was Jessie Knight.

Were women tattoo artists in ancient times?

Yes, women were tattoo artists in many cultures, but the names of the first female tattoo artists are unknown.

Is Whang-Od the first female tattoo artist?

No, she is not. She is one of the most renowned traditional tattoo artists in the world.

Conclusion: Women Were Never Just Part of the Audience?

Women were not only passive participants in the tattoo art scene. They wore tattoos, created tattoos, trained apprentices, shared their knowledge, kept the art of tattooing alive, ran successful businesses, performed tattoos, and much more long before tattooing became popular in the twentieth century.

Although it is impossible to know for sure which women were the first to tattoo because the history has not survived, the names of women tattoo artists who made significant contributions to the field have survived. Thus, Maud Wagner, Lotteva Wagner, Millie Hull, Betty Broadbent, Jessie Knight, Jacci Gresham, Whang-Od, and many others were pioneers, innovators, and leaders in the tattoo art community. When you decide to get a tattoo, remember your tattoo’s meaning and research the tattoo artist to ensure quality and safety. Choosing the tattoo you desire, picking the right person to make it on your skin, and caring about the tattoo after the session are essential.