Ed Hardy: Tattoo the World (Documentary Film)

Docurama Films put out a film directed by Emiko Omori about Ed Hardy last year. It is an in depth look into the life and career of one of the most influential and powerful forces in the Tattoo culture- Mr. Don Ed Hardy. It's really well put together and deeply informative. This is one part of Tattoo Art History you don't wanna miss out on. You can find information about how to purchase the DVD or the digital version from the official website.

Watch the proper trailer-






Ed Hardy on drawing Flash



To commemorate the year 2000, a new Millenia, Ed Hardy painted 2000 dragons on 2000 square feet of paper- Very cool.



Ed Hardy on "The Lure of Forbidden Art"



Ed Hardy on Art, Cars, and Surfing




About the Film: (Taken from the official film website):

Ed Hardy TATTOO THE WORLD is an artist’s journey, his unexpected rise to cult status and his phenomenal influence on pop culture.  With one foot in the world of tattooing and the other planted in the fine arts, each informed the other.

After graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute with plans for a career in the fine arts, Hardy veered off course into the seamy world of drunken sailors and fallen women to pursue his childhood obsession:  tattooing.

His first mentor, tattooist Phil Sparrow, flipped open a book and said, “This is real art.”  Black and white photographs of Japanese men (most were yakuza – Japanese gangsters), their bodies covered with visions of Japanese myths and heroes – snarling samurai warriors, rearing dragons, spitting gods of thunder and howling wind – captivated Hardy.  With tattooing he could realize his childhood dream of making a living creating art.

At the age of 10, he knew the magic of art and art on living canvasses was not only magical, but mystical and powerful.  For the next twenty years, he immersed himself in the world of tattoos.  With his fine art training and drawing on his vast knowledge of art history, the art and cultures of Asia, Polynesia and Mexico, he refined and reinvigorated tattoo imagery.

In 2004, Hardy’s images were spotted by a clothing designer and the Ed Hardy brand was born.  It’s immense success has allowed him to return to his personal art.  Reflected in his paintings are his years of blending high and low art, cutting across cultures and styles, distillations from his collaborations with his clients and a hyperactive imagination.