tattoos

Self Discovery Leads to Accidental Rebellion

Torres got her first tattoo in the summer of 2018. Her tattoo is a game piece from the game La Loteria, a game that reminds her of her family and her own identity. Torres photo.

In the summer of 2018, Andrea Torres did something for herself and got her first tattoo. It was a decision that was made with a lot of contemplation. Torres had to choose what she wanted permanently tattooed on her body and suffer the consequences of what her parents would think about the new addition to her body if they ever found out.

Torres finally acted out on her dreams of having a tattoo when she was turning 20 at the famous Chicago tattoo shop, Chicago Tattoo and Piercing Company off of the Redline Belmont stop.

“It was important for me to get my tattoo because it was the first purely selfish thing I’d ever done,” said Torres. “I do a lot to make sure others are happy and feeling okay, but I rarely take care of myself. It was kind of like treating myself for being who I am.”

Torres tattoo has only been a part of her body for almost a year, but the meaning has been with her a lifetime. Torres’ tattoo is the rose playing card from a Mexican bingo game called Lotería.

“My parents immigrated here from Mexico, so my tattoo is representative of my heritage and reminds me of where I come from and why I’m here,” said Torres.

Though Torres’ tattoo is a symbol of her and her family’s life she knew her parents might not approve of her decision but still went through with getting a tattoo even if it meant she had to deal with the consequences later.

“It was kind of an act of rebellion! I didn’t intend for it to be that way, but it was really fun to just have a little secret for me and myself only,” said Torres. “I don’t think I’ve done anything more rebellious than that.”

Torres did her best to hide the tattoo from her parents, but it did not last long due, and her parents eventually found out about her act of rebellion, and to Torres’ surprise, they were okay with her decision.

“I tried to keep it from my parents because they were raised in a society that looks down on tattoos, but I guess I wear too many crop tops,” said Torres. “My dad said he actually liked it, and my mom complained about why it was so big, but admitted she thought it was pretty.”

Although Torres’ rebellion did not last long, she is thankful that her decision was met with positive feedback, especially from her parents and would consider getting another tattoo in the future but more importantly wants to keep doing things for herself even if it means rebelling.

Tattoos: The Art of Rebellion

The iconic “Mom” tattoo for some would be considered a symbol of rebellion. This neon on sign that sits on the back wall of the Tattoo Factory is one of the many odes to rebellion that exsist within the shop. Photo Jessica Rish

Tattoo Factory in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood is bustling on a late Thursday night. Multiple people fill the shop browsing the artwork that covers the walls, anxiously awaiting their appointment and checking out their new body modifications in the mirror. While everyone at the shop is different, they come together over one thing; doing something for themselves even if it means going against someone else.

Chris Von Zeleny is the head piercing technician at the Tattoo Factory and describes the shop as a house of rebellion. Von Zeleny has seen a lot of people come into the shop or the house of rebellion, but there is one demographic that Von Zeleny sees more than others.

“Almost 50 percent of people usually it is their first piercing or tattoo,” said Von Zeleny. “And usually they are college students in their freshman year that are just looking for something rebellious to do because they no longer are in high school and they want to rebel against their parents.”

DePaul freshman Megan Harnaga fits that demographic. The low hum from the needle overpowers the radio and conversation that fills the shop as she gets one of her tattoos touched up. Harnaga got her first tattoo back in November even knowing that it was a decision that her parents would not approve of.

“It was something that I wanted to do for a long time, so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to do it and maybe it was a little rebellious,” said Harnaga.

Harnaga got a small star on her wrist in honor of Lady Gaga and was not surprised by her parent’s reaction when she came home for break.

“Yeah, they were pissed,” said Harnaga while laughing. “I really don’t care too much about their thoughts on tattoos though because a week later I got a bigger tattoo on my arm and have been hiding that one for quite some time now, so I wonder how it will go when I finally build up the courage to tell them.”

Von Zeleny and Harnaga both have rebelled against figures of authority, but Von Zeleny encourages people not to take it too far.

The most rebellious thing I have ever done has been rebelling against the law, but I wouldn’t take it that far,” said Von Zeleny. “Rebellion is good fun if you are doing it for the all right reasons and not all the wrong reasons.”

Tattoo Factory is located on 4441 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640. The shop’s hours of operation are from 10am to 2am seven days a week.