Art exhibit at Tinta Sangre tattoo shop and gallery explores history, indigenous past

Samuel Gaytan, El Paso Times
·3 min read

Tinta Sangre tattoo shop and gallery is launching its inaugural art exhibit Saturday night.

The grand opening will be from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Art lovers will find a diverse grouping of artists at the show at 3041 N. Zaragoza Road, Suite E.

Tinta Sangre is the studio where printmaker Mario Alonso Perez has expanded creatively into inking clean, black line tattoos under the tutelage of painter, tattoo artist and gallery founder Pablo Hernandez, who returned to the Borderland after years in Santa Fe.

Hernandez is known for his paintings and tattoos rooted in an Indigenous past that seem to transcend time through the use of simple, yet rich colors used to create iconic, mystical images.

Painter and tattoo artist Pablo Hernandez is shown with some of his work at a previous art exhibit.
Painter and tattoo artist Pablo Hernandez is shown with some of his work at a previous art exhibit.

More: El Paso artist Pablo Hernandez to share work inspired by Indigenous past

"The theme of our first show is derived from the saying in Nahuatl that goes 'In Tlilli In Tlapalli,' which translates to the title of the exhibit, 'La Tinta Negra La Pintura de Colores,' a way of thought of ancient Mexicans to describe the black ink and colored/red paints that were used by the wise men of the time known as 'tlamatinime,' who were charged with the duty of recording information, history, rituals and knowledge into the ancient codices," Hernandez said.

"Through understanding that history, we invited local and outside artists to share recordings of our history, and knowledge as modern day artists, soul seekers, Chicanos and fronterizos. This is also how we work at Tinta Sangre, in two mediums: the black ink of tattoos and the colored paints of fine art."

In addition to Hernandez and Perez, artists in the show are Bruno Bautista, Rene Chavira, Francisco Delgado, Connie Perez, Scarlet Pruneda, Corinna Roberge, Marco Sanchez, Marco "Marky" Silva, Babak Tavakoli, Lorena Williams and Xochihuitzillin.

More: Art show will outline Borderland artist Mario Alonso Perez's print work

The exhibit will be up through June 22.

Tinta Sangre's regular hours are noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

People will be able to enjoy complimentary drinks by Tequila Cazadores, but no tattooing will be done on opening night.

Hernandez said there won't be "tattooing during the event since we will have complimentary drinks by Cazadores Tequila and Texas licensing does not allow for alcohol in the tattoo area."

There will be plenty of room for people to enjoy the night.

"The event will be inside the shop and in conjunction with the Benny Franks bar next door and patio," Hernandez said.

In addition to the art, there will be a DJ, food, drinks and vendors, including MINDxBODYxSOUL, Vive and ZGNDGN.

The art exhibit is free to people of all ages. While certain parts of the bar are 21 and older, the vendors and the gallery will be accessible to all, Hernandez said.

Items for sale will include handmade crafts and jewelry, toys, crochet creations, art prints, and spiritual and botanical goods.

Visitors to Tinta Sangre also will find colorful, intricate beadwork from the Wixárika, or Huichol, people of Jalisco, Mexico. Hernandez said the sale of the Indigenous art helps their community.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Exhibit at Tinta Sangre tattoo shop explores history, indigenous past