The Inkblot Project: Stories Inscribed in Flesh

By Lauren Means | Photos provided by Ray White

Tattoos are more than just ink on skin. They serve as powerful symbols that convey personal meanings and stories. Each tattoo is a unique form of self-expression, allowing individuals to showcase their identity, beliefs, and experiences visually and permanently. Whether it’s a design inspired by cultural heritage, a memorial to a loved one, or a representation of a significant life event, tattoos carry emotional and symbolic weight.

Sometimes people get tattoos as a way to work through trauma and discover empowerment through this self-discovery. This notion is the basis of The Inkblot Project.

Ray White, a licensed professional counselor and creator of The Inkblot Project, said the concept came about after discussions with a colleague who was working on his doctoral dissertation at UT Knoxville on the therapeutic benefits of tattoos. They discussed how tattoos not only tell stories but can promote healing. White began doing his own research and started to hone in on bullying in terms of trauma. 

“I began to wonder if some people also get tattoos that speak to their experiences of having been bullied, and working through that trauma, and then find themselves subsequently getting a tattoo that ultimately represents newfound empowerment,” White explained.

White had a booth at Nashville Pride in 2018 for his counseling services. At his booth, he invited people to share their tattoo stories that involved a history of being bullied. “I would take a pic of their tattoo and have them write a couple sentences detailing the story behind the tattoo. My plan was better received than expected with lots of people curious and sharing stories,” recalled White.

After the event, he created a web page to share the pictures and stories, referring to them as “stories inscribed in flesh” with hopes of sparking interest and encouraging further participation in the project. He also prepared a workshop entitled “Tattoos as a Window to the Psyche” and presented it at the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors in 2018.

The project is not only useful for workshops and education, White believes The Inkblot Project can contribute to raising awareness about bullying and trauma. He has found the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” to be true with this venture saying, “Every time I share the Inkblot Project, whether verbally or visually, people will come forth with their own stories or stories about someone they know. Suddenly there is a dialog going on.” 

Additionally, he thinks the photos and stories help people realize what bullying and trauma actually are. “Many people would not naturally think about bullying being a traumatic experience. Yet it can be a major trauma. Ultimately, I find the Inkblot Project to be both informative (educational) and empowering (healing),” White noted.

The Inkblot Project has the potential to make a lasting impact on the conversation around bullying, trauma, and empowerment. This impact could come from viewing the website and the related resources on it or from one of the workshops White presents on the subject. 

“Over and over I hear how empowering not only the tattoos are to those who get them, but also how empowering it is to hear others share their stories of empowerment. In that sense, the project is almost like a support group. It reminds us we are not alone,” White said.

While all of the stories shared with him are significant, he says tattoo and story number eight is one of the most powerful stories in his mind. He elaborated by saying, “The tattoo consists of one simple word: Speak. And to read the person’s story, you can see the difference silence versus speaking up can make. This is one story that when I share it, I can hardly not tear up… imagining the freedom and strength that person experienced moving out of the level of fear and darkness she must have been experiencing for so many years!”

Like many things, just as his project was shaping up, the pandemic hit which prevented White from attending venues in person to collect more stories. Still, the webpage offers the opportunity to participate remotely. White encourages people to submit their tattoos and stories to be included in the project. “I can’t physically take the project everywhere, but remotely, we can involve more people, more stories. There is a link on the website to message me and participate.” He would also welcome the opportunity for additional workshop opportunities so if you would like to host White, let him know. He said, “I find folks love hearing about the history and traditions of tattoos as well as the stories of empowerment.”

To view all of the current tattoos and their stories or to submit your story, visit https://www.theinkblotproject.com/.