‘SKIN DEEP: a history of tattooing’ is on at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Grape Lane — the lane is just across the Swing Bridge on the Abbey side of the harbour, by the Whitby Gazette building. Disapprove of tattoos? How could anyone! But if they do, blame it all on the good Captain — or rather on his crews who saw the islanders’ tattoos and couldn’t wait to get in on the act.

Developed by Britain’s National Maritime Museum, this special exhibition on during Whitby Goth weekend, tells the story of tattooing, its Pacific origins as experienced by Cook’s crews, and its spread by sailors across the world. Illustrated by modern as well as earlier examples of the art, it traces the story from those first meetings in the Pacific to the innovative tattooing of the 21st century.

At the end of the exhibition in the Antarctic Room is a folder of tattoo designs. Cast your vote for the one you think best and we will publish the winner on this web site — as voted by Whitby Goths.

Open daily: 9.45am — 5.00pm
Admission, museum and exhibition: (adult) £3.00.
www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk
01947 601900

Information supplied by Charles Forgan