Definition
What is Chicano tattoo?
Chicano is a tattoo style born in Mexican-American communities in the 20th century. It is almost always done in black-and-grey, with iconic motifs: lowrider cars, religious imagery, script lettering, skulls and clowns.
The style is known for its extreme detail in shading and its expressive lettering. Every piece tends to carry strong personal or cultural symbolism.
Examples
- Black-and-grey portrait of a loved one with flowers
- Script lettering across the chest or stomach
- Clown faces or smile-now-cry-later masks