Prejudice, regret, and a renewed hope are key focuses of the photography book Kickstarter project, Skin Deep, in which the tattoos of former Los Angeles gang members are removed via photo editing and compared to untouched images that display the existing state of their bodies.
The brainchild of British model turned pro-photog, Steven Burton, the project aims to explore the effects that tattoos have on people attempting to escape gang culture. In addition to the selection of striking photos, extensive interviews with subjects reveal how they are judged by society and their peers on a daily basis, and questions how they see themselves. The results are astonishing to say the least.
/Samuel Gonzalez /Steven Burton /Kickstarter
In his campaign video, Burton says he wants to “Allow people to see beyond the tattoos,” and hopes to “create empathy and understanding for the situation they’re going through. ”
The project has taken Burton over two years to produce, with over 400 hours spent in Photoshop carefully removing the myriad intricate designs that crisscross these reformed gang members. Many of the participants in this project had not seen themselves without markings for over a decade or more. When faced with these images the stark difference had a powerful effect on them, making them wonder about what life might have been like, having taken another road.
“It makes me feel bad, cos like, what the fuck did I do?” wonders Dennis Zamaran in an interview with Burton; his upper body almost entirely covered with ink, some of it from prison. In a heartbreaking recollection, Zamaran explains how when mother first saw him tattooed, she cast him out of a family gathering as an “animal”. Pointing at the edited version of his photo, Zamaran says “This guy right here? Square, average guy. Probably a hard worker. ”
Dennis Zamaran /Steven Burton /Kickstarter
These people, who have decided to push against the currents of violence and crime in their communities and change their lives for the better, have found the support they’ve needed through Homeboy Industries. Founded by Father Greg Boyle (known affectionately as G-Dog), it is a charity organisation that supports former L. A gang members by providing assistance with finding work, giving access to education, offering therapy and substance abuse treatment, as well as legal assistance. Not only has Father Boyle written to foreword to the book, but profits from Skin Deep’s sales will go directly to Homeboy Industries to help others in similar situations.
Another invaluable asset Homeboy Industries has on hand is of course, tattoo removal techniques, of which several subjects of the book are undergoing. The process is long and painful, relying on multiple sessions over months to complete. To many however, the chance to remove these criminally identifying symbols that brand them with negative preconceptions and remind them of past mistakes, is well worth it. In the meantime the subjects of Skin Deep are able to see what the aftermath of that would resemble.
Marcos Luna /Steven Burton /Kickstarter
Calvin Hastings, a participant in the book who unfortunately passed away in July 2016, had this to say to those feeling the world’s unfair scorn unfairly weighing on them just for how they look: “Don’t let anybody stereotype you. You can achieve anything. You just gotta put your mind to it and keep moving forwards. ”
At this moment Skin Deep has yet to meet its crowdfunding goal and has only 12 days left to raise the funds to publish these incredibles stories and images. If you are interested in the project, you can visit the Kickstarter page here.
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Cover Image: Francisco Flores /Steven Burton
. digitalrev.com2016-10-31 03:00