Skin & Bones

April 24-Jan. 3, 2010, free with admission of $12 ($7 for children), Independence Seaport Museum, Penn's Landing, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org.

by Rachel Dukeman

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Published: Apr 21, 2009

visual art

Whether you're paying homage to a fallen loved one, repping your neighborhood or showing love to mom, you can thank a sailor for making tattoos an accepted part of American society. Rooted in 18th-century naval traditions, tattoos illustrated tales of the seamen's adventures, and identified their beliefs, cultures and values. "Skin & Bones" reveals the traditions, process and people that made tattoos part of American maritime culture. Expect sailors' tattoo tales, bios of colorful artists such as Sailor Eddie and Madame Chinchilla — and plenty of ink.

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