By Ashley M. Casey
Staff Writer
While their primary canvas is the human body, local tattoo artists recently took to traditional canvas to showcase their art in an exhibit at Tymeless Tattoo’s brand-new gallery space. Tymeless Tattoo welcomed the public to the gallery at a July 16 reception.
Tymeless artist Jamie Santos is the curator of the gallery, which Tymeless owner Kyle Proia spent six months renovating. In addition to room for artwork and live music, the gallery features a chalk wall, an indoor koi pond with two turtles and taxidermied heads of deer, moose and the mythical jackalope, a jackrabbit with antlers.
“As curator, Kyle’s just giving me free rein,” Santos said. “He said, ‘Put as many holes in the wall as you want.’”
The current exhibit features pieces by Santos, Proia and other artists from Tymeless and around Central New York. The works are inspired by full-sleeve and body suit tattoos that generally cover an entire limb, torso, back or even the whole body. Zach Wheeler based one of his pieces on Russian prison tattoos, rubbing his canvas in the dirt for a “simple and gritty” look, Santos said. James Coldiron has drawn tattoos on posters and photographs; a heavily inked Nicki Minaj is displayed in the gallery. Even Proia’s 12-year-old daughter, Sophia, submitted a portrait of a redheaded woman sprawling across someone’s back.
“I like local [artists]. There’s an untapped wealth of talent in this area,” Santos said.
The gallery opening coincided with the Baldwinsville Margaritafest, so Tymeless staff handed out shot glasses and invited festivalgoers to listen to live music and learn about the services the shop offers.
“It’s cool to see it transform,” said Santos, who joined the Tymeless staff in November 2015. “I think pairing music with art brings in a more diverse crowd. You wouldn’t get someone in based on the art if they don’t know the artist.”
Santos said she hopes the gallery will introduce Baldwinsville to more alternative art. She said future exhibits will include tattoo-inspired, illustrative and avant-garde pieces.
Santos is now booking artists for one- to three-month showcases in the Tymeless gallery into 2017. To apply, contact Jamie Santos at [email protected] or [email protected].
Tymeless Tattoo is located at 36 Oswego St. in Baldwinsville. The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit tymelesstattoo.com or call 635-5481 for more information.
