Classic Ink Tattoo in Yarraville offering free Pam the Bird tattoos to preserve our culture
A Melbourne tattoo parlour has compared Pam the Bird to Banksy and says people are lining up to “share the movement” with free tattoos of the graffiti vandal’s famous cartoon tag.
Victoria
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A Melbourne tattoo parlour that made headlines after inking former CFMEU boss John Setka is now back in the spotlight offering up Pam the Bird tattoos to immortalise the prolific Melbourne graffiti vandal.
Classic Ink Tattoo in Yarraville has started giving away free tattoos of the well known cartoon tag while the prolific street graffiti artist, and Pam the Bird creator, Jack Gibson-Burrell remains behind bars.
The 21-year-old, is facing 59 charges over graffiti tags of trains, buildings and landmarks across the city including the heritage-listed Flinders Street station clock, the “Cheese Stick” above CityLink and Novotel at South Wharf.
He is also accused of assault, aggravated burglary and shop and vehicle thefts, in addition to the ramming of a Nando’s restaurant with a stolen car.
Tattoo shop owner Jordan Ingham, who goes by @inkham.tattoo, says while he appreciates graffiti is illegal he said immortalising the recognisable tag is a homage to Melbourne’s street art history.
“We’ve had a huge influx of people coming forward, willing to put their names down and share the movement,” he said.
“Preserving our culture in as many ways as possible should be, and clearly is, at the forefront of Melburnians’ minds.
“For us as tattooers, we leave our mark on the world daily, and often this results in people’s mixed reactions.
“If you look back at the ‘70s, street art was almost completely done illegally. Now we have laneways completely legal to paint and huge careers blossoming through Melbourne’s street art culture.
“We also understand that graffiti can be illegal given the circumstances and don’t support private property damage.
“But the secret of Pam and the pure awe some of his art has caused is something that we refuse to let go of.”
Mr Ingham pointed to famous works by Banksy, and said he hoped that’s how people would view Pam the Bird.
He also said he would help the young graffiti artist move forward in the future after the court has decided his fate.
“If he wants a job, then come into Classic Ink Tattoo. I’ll support the kid and make sure he makes something good of his talent and iconic image he has created for himself and Melburnians alike. “
Fellow tattoo artists Josh, who goes by @no.future_tattoos added: “We have a rich culture that brings 1.4 million visitors to Hosier Lane per year generating $4.5 million annually for the economy.
“We believe there is a much bigger upside in the message.”
Multiple tattoo lovers have already been inked by the ship’s artists including Herald Sun reporter Mitch Clarke of Fitzroy.
“I immediately loved the idea,” he said.
“Love it or loathe it, Pam got everyone talking so there’s no doubt it’s an icon of Melbourne.”
It’s not the first time that the tattoo shop has courted controversy.
Last year a video posted to social media showed union boss Mr Setka topless in their tattoo chair with the words “GOD FORGIVES THE CFMEU DOESNT” freshly tattooed across his neck.
God forgives, the CFMEU doesn’t is a well known catchphrase for the union often printed on their T-shirts, stickers and hoodies.
Gibson-Burrell was refused bail at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in early February after Magistrate Johanna Metcalf found bail conditions could not mitigate the risk of reoffending or endangering the public.
The damage bill from his alleged vandalism spree was estimated to exceed $200,000.
Originally published as Classic Ink Tattoo in Yarraville offering free Pam the Bird tattoos to preserve our culture
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