These three images are part of an ongoing photo project titled The Body As A Canvas.
Born from a simple curiosity about tattooed skin, how they carry stories, memories, and art all at once. This series explores tattooing as a living archive, each piece a collaboration between artist and wearer, a marker of identity, memory, and transformation.

I have been connecting with artists and individuals whose tattoos tell their stories, photographing them, listening, and sharing fragments of their experiences.

The project is shot on black and white film (Ilford Delta 3200, 35mm) developed and digitally scanned by me, Cynthia Lee.

This project grew from my fascination with how tattoos carry memory and identity.
A few beautiful documentary series that inspired me to dig deeper and sparked the curiosity, and a need to explore tattoo culture and the people behind the ink.

• Tattoo Age — VICE TV

• Under the Ink — YouTube Series

• Bodies of Interest — BlackGate Documentary Series

  An Artist whom I came across via , Bodies of Interest is Artist Thomas Hooper.‍ He also photographs his clients on film and I was really drawn to his style soft and beautiful. I had not seen tattoos captured in that way.
  
  

If you’re tattooed, or a tattoo artist, and this photo project resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.

Email: cynthialeeartist@gmail.com
Phone: 0449 518 592
Instagram: @cynthialee.c