The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: Tattoos connect new generation to key values, body positivity

Fourth-year English student Syd Sandford is one of many in her generation that uses tattoos as a form of self expression. She carries on her skin a permanent collection of ink that ties her to family, friends and herself, that not only connect Sandford to her key life values, but help her love the woman she sees in the mirror each day. "I have beautiful pieces of art on me and I'm a carrier of those things, which just makes me inherently beautiful," Sandford said. "I may not really love how I look or my face or my hair, but like, I have these really cool pieces of art on me, and like, that’s just objectively cool." For Sandford, beauty is pain at the hands of an artist and tattoo gun, and a pain that is worth the stigma that comes with it.

Syd Sandford started getting tattoos as early as 17 years old, and instead of shying away from tattoo regrets, she embraces the tattoos she has since grown out of. “For me, I have tattoos that I wouldn’t get again and I don’t love most days,” Sandford said. “But it’s a tribute to (the) 18-year-old me who looked at it and was like, ‘Yes, I want that on my body forever.’” Though she has grown out of some tattoos, others have stood the test of time. The stamp tattoo, seen next to the butterfly, is part of a matching set that ties Sandford to her long-distance best friend of nine years. Sandford’s stamp has the Nova Scotia flower — Canada’s national flower — and her friend’s stamp has the South Carolina flower. The 14 cent price indicates 2014 — the year they met. “We got a little piece of each other,” Sandford said.
Syd Sandford started getting tattoos as early as 17 years old, and instead of shying away from tattoo regrets, she embraces the tattoos she has since grown out of. “For me, I have tattoos that I wouldn’t get again and I don’t love most days,” Sandford said. “But it’s a tribute to (the) 18-year-old me who looked at it and was like, ‘Yes, I want that on my body forever.’” Though she has grown out of some tattoos, others have stood the test of time. The stamp tattoo, seen next to the butterfly, is part of a matching set that ties Sandford to her long-distance best friend of nine years. Sandford’s stamp has the Nova Scotia flower — Canada’s national flower — and her friend’s stamp has the South Carolina flower. The 14 cent price indicates 2014 — the year they met. “We got a little piece of each other,” Sandford said.
Though many of Sandford’s tattoos have a deep meaning, some are there just for fun. “When else are you going to have cocks get tattooed in your mouth?” Sandford said. She said she loves the humor of the tattoo and that she can choose for herself whether she gets it touched up or continues to let it fade away.
Though many of Sandford’s tattoos have a deep meaning, some are there just for fun. “When else are you going to have cocks get tattooed in your mouth?” Sandford said. She said she loves the humor of the tattoo and that she can choose for herself whether she gets it touched up or continues to let it fade away.
Sandford’s most recent tattoo is of her two cats, Max and Ruby. For her, this tattoo was an easy decision to make and an even easier one to fall in love with. “I just love it. It’s such a peaceful, simple part of joy that I get to have on me,” Sandford said.
Sandford’s most recent tattoo is of her two cats, Max and Ruby. For her, this tattoo was an easy decision to make and an even easier one to fall in love with. “I just love it. It’s such a peaceful, simple part of joy that I get to have on me,” Sandford said.
Sandford is not the only member of her family who embraces tattoo culture. Her older brother, Zach Sandford, not only has tattoos, but has a tattoo that nearly matches the image of Bart and Lisa Simpson on Sandford’s calf. The only difference is that his tattoo depicts Bart strangling Lisa. Though the tattoo veers from Sandford’s usual aesthetic, she cherishes the connection it gives her to a sibling that she sometimes struggles to connect with, being 11 years younger than him.
Sandford is not the only member of her family who embraces tattoo culture. Her older brother, Zach Sandford, not only has tattoos, but has a tattoo that nearly matches the image of Bart and Lisa Simpson on Sandford’s calf. The only difference is that his tattoo depicts Bart strangling Lisa. Though the tattoo veers from Sandford’s usual aesthetic, she cherishes the connection it gives her to a sibling that she sometimes struggles to connect with, being 11 years younger than him.
Sandford said she hopes to be a teacher after graduation. This career path was inspired by her high school Latin teacher, who she paid tribute to in the “caritas” tattoo inked on her forearm. The word — loosely translated to “universal love of humankind” — embodies a mindset that Sandford strives to carry with her each day.
Sandford said she hopes to be a teacher after graduation. This career path was inspired by her high school Latin teacher, who she paid tribute to in the “caritas” tattoo inked on her forearm. The word — loosely translated to “universal love of humankind” — embodies a mindset that Sandford strives to carry with her each day.
Sandford refers to this tattoo as “my girl.” “I look at this, and I feel it in my bones,” Sandford said. She noted the importance of the script beneath the face, reading “Starve the Ego, feed the Soul.” She said this phrase serves as a reminder to strip herself down and not put more ego into a world that has enough of it.
Sandford refers to this tattoo as “my girl.” “I look at this, and I feel it in my bones,” Sandford said. She noted the importance of the script beneath the face, reading “Starve the Ego, feed the Soul.” She said this phrase serves as a reminder to strip herself down and not put more ego into a world that has enough of it.
While many of Sandford’s tattoos carry a happy meaning, others embody the darker times in her life. “’Alive’ is my grief tattoo. It’s about two people very close to me who died within the span of three days,” Sandford said. “It happened so close to each other, and it was really just a big slap in the face, you are alive once. Be appreciative of it. Be grateful that you are alive.” Sandford said this tattoo reminds her of what she went through and motivates her to continue to carry on living life to its fullest potential.
While many of Sandford’s tattoos carry a happy meaning, others embody the darker times in her life. “’Alive’ is my grief tattoo. It’s about two people very close to me who died within the span of three days,” Sandford said. “It happened so close to each other, and it was really just a big slap in the face, you are alive once. Be appreciative of it. Be grateful that you are alive.” Sandford said this tattoo reminds her of what she went through and motivates her to continue to carry on living life to its fullest potential.