Total as an art form has over the years been claimed by many countries tribal and ethnic groups. We will probably never really know who were the first people to mark their skins.
We do know, and indeed there is much evidence, of this ancient and totally unique practice has been carried out since the beginning of time and body decoration is nothing new.
From scarification to body painting, piercing to the less permanent wearing of jewellery. Hair styles, even make-up, to the emergence in recent years of cosmetic surgery. People have always striven to change one is appearance, and for millions of people throughout time, tattooing has been one of the most popular forms of permanent body art.
One country that probably has done more than almost any other, in securing tattooing is place in history are the islands of great britain. And as an island race of people it is not surprising that britain has such a tradition in this art form.
From royalty and the famous - to the common person, they have all stood shoulder to shoulder in enduring the pain, and the pleasure of becoming tattooed. In England there is a saying that horse riding is the sport of kings, and if that is the case it is only fair in saying that tattooing is the art of the people.
Even the famed English naturalist charles robert darwin (1809-1882), who not only upset religious groups and scientists throughout the civilised world with his thoughts on evolution, which appeared in his books the origin of species (1859) and the decent of man (1871).
