Ed Hardy Tattoo the World

Hailing from a protestant background the lure of forbidden art was strong for Hardy, and at the age of ten, he was already experimenting by applying mock tattoos to his friends. He later graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute but passed up the opportunity to complete a fellowship at Yale University to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a tattooist.

Combining his studies of fine art with his broad knowledge of Asian, Polynesian and Mexican art and culture, Hardy was able to bring a fresh aesthetic to the world of tattoo design. A savvy businessman from the outset, he also recognised that tattooing would afford him the opportunity to make money from his art, and in 2004 after being approached by a clothing designer, the Ed Hardy clothing brand was established.

ACMI Film Programmer Kristy Matheson says,“Sailor Jerry’s iconic tattoo designs adorn the bodies of many Australians and the work of his protégé Ed Hardy has become commonplace on everything from coffee cups to caps, but the story of these men is not widely known. Whether it’s Hollywood’s version of a forbidden world with teens gone wild or the early days of tattooing, screen rebellion is an absolutely irresistible proposition for First Look as we head into summer.”