It gives me great pleasure to invite you to an one-night only in-gallery tattoo activation!
Note from the gallery: “Tattooing extends the exhibition’s exploration of skin as a site of memory, repair, and endurance. Hannalie Taute’s stitched rubber works already operate in the visual language of the body: marking, binding, and holding together. This activation allows that language to migrate from object to skin. The tattoo is not merchandise; it is a voluntary act of identification. It’s a choice to carry the work beyond the gallery and into lived experience.“
Important information:
7 May 2026 from 17:00 – 20:00 At 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Curated flash designs for an embodied extension art with Be Kind Tattooing.
Tattoos range from R850 – R2000 depending on the design and colour.
Bookings are essential – limited slots available. Please book before 4 May via this link: https://223jansmuts.com/in-gallery-tattoo-activation/
This activation forms part of the 223 First Thursday programme.
Let me introduce you to the tattoo artists and their designs:
Eyre aka theunorthodoxunicorn on Instagram:



I got excited going through Hannalie’s work, trying to find references for what to draw. I wanted to draw everything so choosing was hard.
-Eyre-
The way she does all the faces very much aligned with my intuitive sense of art so I immediately felt drawn to her pieces, visually.
I, personally, like playing with different styles of art when it comes to tattooing, but I would say that I enjoy doing bold, striking tattoos the most.
I like incorporating the simplicity of American Traditional styles into my work, whether I decide to add little dots or bright colours.
I believe that art and tattooing are both very much timeless.
We aim to give people something that would last forever, whether it be directly on them or will forever make an impact on them.
We would not be who we are without the people we make the art for.
Tique aka monstertique_tattoos on Instagram:



As a tattoo artist, I’m drawn to Hannalie Taute’s work because of the way Taute treats material as something vulnerable, and open to transformation. Some could see Hannalies’ use of rubber as a stand in for skin.Pierced and reshaped,this mirrors how I approach the body as both surface and story.
-Tique-
Her hand stitched marks feel like both creative markings and repair, an idea that sits at the heart of tattooing. where marking the skin carries memory and identity.
I am drawn to her work as an artist who finds tattooing and creating art in general as a way to connect with memory,heritage, and the human experience.
Translating Hannalie’s art into tattoo form allows that tension of endurance and transformation to exist directly on the body.
Sarah aka sarahlee.tattoo on Instagram:



I grew up in a small town with artists for parents, and learning to sew was a must. My relationship with thread grew as I dabbled with my own embroidery and sewing projects. My connection to the artform made me immediately drawn to Hannalie’s work. Her use of bold colour and shapes is something I enjoy doing in my own work as an artist who specialises in American Traditional tattooing.
-Sarah-
Hannalie’s mixing of mediums is relateable to me, as when I’m not tattooing I work with pottery and ceramics. I love incorporating tattoo imagery into the designs I paint onto ceramics. I see a parallel in the works, we both introduce a centuries old art that isn’t taken as seriously as it should (embroidery and tattooing) into traditionally accepted artworks (photography and pottery).
Nate aka botanical_nate_tattoo on Instagram:


I was immediately drawn to Hannalie’s use of contrast. Not only her use of colour on a black and white image but mostly the contrast in her imagery. In particular I like the contrast between life and death, placing skulls over young children’s faces. I’ve always found this kind of imagery quite impactful. While life and death is opposite of each other, one cannot exist without the other. I am fascinated with the circle of life, how death and decay creates opportunity for life to grow.
-Nate-
I am always drawn to using heavy contrast in my artwork. In terms of imagery I love to combine skulls and plants or animal life (birds usually). I also enjoy using contrasting line weights, often encapsulating fine line work with bold illustrative lines.
I specialise in illustrative/ black work. I find tattooing people special as often tattoos serve as reminders. Reminders to appreciate something, a lesson learned, times spent with loved ones. I see tattoos as passport stamps in one’s life, reminding you where you came from and where you are headed.
Gosh, so many wonderful designs to choose from! Have fun and feel free to send me and image of your tattoo.
With love, Hannalie xxxx
















