Event: Gallery Talks: Eric Smolinski & Curators, Friday January 13th, 4:30-6pm, Grunwald Gallery
Indiana Tattoo: History and Legacy, is an exhibit co-curated by Indiana native and internationally known tattooer Colin McClain and Jeremy Sweet, Associate Director of the Grunwald Gallery. The exhibit will contain examples of the work and lifestyles of historically influential tattooers from Indiana’s past. Their work will be highlighted through the display of original “flash” sheets, tattoo machines, videos, photographs, letters, legal rulings and memorabilia from the archives of multiple Indiana collectors as well as a large collection of Bernard Kobel’s tattooed photographs from the Kinsey Institute. The exhibit will also highlight over 30 of Indiana’s most influential contemporary Tattooers through artist profiles and contributions to a large 11x14" flash wall containing over 130 hand painted original sheets.
Welcome Back to the Badlands contains many artifacts, photos, artworks, videos and objects from the life and times of Roy Craig Cooper aka “Roy Boy”. Roy was based out of Gary, Indiana the murder Capital of the World at the time where he set up “Roy Boy’s Place” and later the World Famous “Badlands” shop. Roy Boy is one of most iconic tattooers and overall wild men in the history of the State of Indiana who lived a fast life of tattoos, cars, bikes, boats, guns, exotic animals and fast women. The entire Roy Boy collection is owned by tattooer and collector, Eric Smolinski who’s father SMO was a great friend of Roy Boy as well as his main tiger tamer and weight lifting partner.