TattooMonologues: Indelible Marks on the Body and Soul

(Hardback)

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Description

Body art can tell personal stories. When linked to a difficult or traumatic life, it can even restore ones sense of well-being. As director of a community health center for twenty-seven years and as a nurse practitioner for over forty years, Donna Torrisi became fascinated with the stories behind her patients tattoos. When she began to ask her female patients about their markings, themes of trauma, pain, and loss emerged, and it became clear that the art indelibly marked on their bodies had played a part in their healing and redemption.

The women featured in Tattoo Monologues demonstrate vulnerability and courage as they share both their personal tattoo narratives and photos of the images on their bodies. These women represent diverse cultures, ethnicities, and professional contexts, but they are united by their use of tattoos as a tool for processing traumatic life experiences. The images, stories, emotions, and journeys in this book collectively tell a compelling story. A story of skin and ink. A story of trauma and adversity. A story of courage and resilience.

Reviews

"After reading this book and reflecting on my own initial beliefs about tattoos, I am curious and intrigued. This book is transformative. Not only does it provide trauma survivors with the opportunity to verbalize the previously unspeakable, it also provides the reader with the opportunity to bear witness to another person's pain and triumph."
--Sandra Bloom, MD

"Tattoo Monologues sends a powerful message to tattooed trauma survivors like me. We don't have to cower in the shame of our trauma. We don't have to hide our ink. They are a part of our story."
--Meagan D Corrado, DSW

"The tattoo can be like writing a book telling one's life story and inviting others to notice and inquire. Sharing and connecting with caring individuals plays the most vital instrument in healing from a painful, challenging, or traumatic event."
--Roy Wade, MD

"Twenty-seven real stories from courageous women, holding on to life through the bold markings they wear on their bodies."
--Gail Drucker, playwright

Author Bio

Donna L. Torrisi, MSN has been a nurse practitioner since 1976. In 1992 she founded a community health center in Philadelphia, where she continues today to provide primary care to low-income communities. It was here that she was inspired by her patients to write this book. The centers model, and Torrisis work, are recognized nationally and have been the recipient of multiple awards. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, and lives in Pennslyvania. Dr. John Giugliano originally started working psycho-dynamically with people suffering from trauma, mood regulation, and sexuality issues. He received his Masters of Social Welfare at UCLA and his doctorate from Smith College. Dr. Giugliano was President of the Board of Directors for the Society for Advancement for Sexual Health and has national and international notoriety in his field. His research and clinical work is published in scholarly journals and has been translated into five languages. Ken Kauffmans ability to decisively capture the serendipitous moments in people's real-life situations has been his specialty for years. He has brought the sensitivity and visual language from the genre of Street Photography to his chosen photographic career areas, both fine and commercial art. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life has influenced his work and is the source of his commercial and artistic success. Kens photographs have been published in many business, healthcare, and nonprofit web and traditional mediums.