One Gay Man's Accidental Creation of the Modern Tattoo Industry
This lecture celebrates Rudi Inhelder, whose Tattoo Club linked gay men in Cold War New York and helped shape modern tattoo culture.
Hanns Rudolf “Rudi” Inhelder (1929–2003) was a Swiss physicist in Cold War America and passionate tattoo collector. He built a vast archive and founded the Tattoo Club of America in 1960s New York, fostering global connections among tattoo artists and enthusiasts while discreetly linking gay men during a repressive era. Though short-lived, the club helped shape modern tattoo culture.
The lecture celebrates Rudi’s work and creativity, highlighting queer resilience, unintended social change and the challenges of preserving subcultural histories and archives.
A lecture by Matt Lodder
This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: One Gay Man's Accidental Creation of the Modern Tattoo Industry | Gresham College
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Highlights
- 1 hour
- In person
Location
Gresham College
Barnard's Inn Hall
Holborn London EC1N 2HH
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