Volko merschky biography books
Home / General Biography Information / Volko merschky biography books
In some cases there are other colours used but it’s always black and one other colour.
Trash Polka is a relatively modern tattoo style, originating in Germany in the early 2000s.
In their time not tattooing the pair are also artistic in their painting, photography, and even music. As hobbies they also paint, do photography and play music.
The dynamic duo are known to have broken the stereotypes of the classic German tattoo style.
Merschky and Pfaff also mixed bold and fine black lines with grey shading and dramatic splatters of red, that are full in color, unlike in watercolor tattoos.
As explained in the introduction, the trash polka tattoo style does not make sense easily and seems like a collage of completely unrelated elements.
This can mean that trash polka tattoos can include common tattoo elements such as realistic roses, wolves, lions, ships, and many other animals, flowers, objects like the compass and the clock, and movie characters.
Over time polka trash began to receive global recognition, appearing in articles in leading tattoo printed magazines, books and websites.
Typical Elements of Trash Polka Tattoos
According to Merschky:
This style is a combination of “realism and trash; the nature and the abstract; technology and humanity; past, present and future; opposites that they are trying to urge into a creative dance to harmony and rhythm in tune with the body”.
To put it bluntly, the main characteristics of trash polka tattoos is a mix of naturalistic, surrealistic, photorealistic motifs with graphic, lettering and calligraphic elements in mainly black and red.
Words look like letters cut from newspapers, or typewritten texts, almost feeling like a ransom note.
These pieces also focus on photo-realistic images or commonly portraits coming from cinema, fashion and horror movies.
They use a combination of natural elements, realism, surrealism, lettering, as well as abstract shapes. Though there is a Trash Polka presence around the world it has mainly been blowing up in Europe at this point. Next to them are graphic elements such as large black and red areas, brush strokes, paint stains, and geometric or abstract shapes.
A realistic trash polka tattoo utilizes so called dissociative imagery-pictures of things that may not directly relate to each other.
The effect of it is clear – to weaken the apparent meaning behind the imagery in the tattoo and thus weaken the relationship between the tattoo itself and the person wearing it.
The majority of original trash polka geometric tattoo pieces are done as large scale tattoos in order to suit the motifs and elements, similarly to tribal tattoos or cyber sigilism tattoos.
Meaning of Trash Polka Tattoos
Breaking down the meaning of trash polka tattoos is no easy feat.
These tattoos definitely express emotions, and strong feelings upon seeing the design.
The founding duo says that the “trash” part means everything beyond the realistic:
- destruction,
- abstraction,
- ink splatters,
- organic shapes.
The elements above awake strong reaction to this tattoo style.
Some messages conveyed with a trash polka tattoo are:
- brutality
- passion
- passing of time
- aggressiveness
- opposites in the world
To some these tattoos produce a weird effect, either admiration or disgust.
This art form challenges the usual glamorous art, acting as a sort of rebellion to the established norms.
Trash polka tattoo designs for some symbolize their anger and fear, represented by stark colors, patterns, blood splashes, realistic animal and people depictions.
Rage is seen very loud and visible emotion in this tattoo style.
Another layer is the portrayal of honesty, its brutality, as well as passion.
Fantastical beasts such as dragons and phoenixes can also be used, but usually in their realistic form.
How To Take Care Of Trash Polka Tattoos
Trash Polka style tattoos are designed to be fresh as in just finished, as the gloss of a fresh tattoo is another element of the trash polka tattoos.
For that reason, it’s especially important to take good care of them and make sure they are covered and hydrated.
For all tattoos there is a usual tattoo healing timeline that you should be aware of.
Apart from that, there are some other factors to consider, too:
- the value and tone of the skin.
These effects can resemble the appearance of paint splattered on a canvas, enhancing the artistic quality of the tattoo.
Surreal Imagery
Surreal and dreamlike imagery, often inspired by the works of Salvador Dalí or other surrealists, can be found in Trash Polka tattoos.
Pop Culture References
Some Trash Polka enthusiasts incorporate elements from pop culture, such as movie characters, video game symbols, or comic book icons, into their tattoos.
We break down the history and profound shark symbolism of these apex predators. These creatures often symbolize freedom and strength.
Prepare for a Tattooing Career with the Artist Accelerator Program
Understanding different tattoo styles is an important step in your journey, but it can also be pretty eye-opening to how difficult tattooing can be.
These tattoos are generally large scale like sleeves or chest pieces, some people even commit a whole half of their body to it.
Sources:
- “Tattoo Gallery.” Trash Polka Tattoos by Volko Merschky & Simone Pfaff, 24 Nov. 2017, buenavistatattooclub.de/tattoo-gallery.
- “Trash Polka.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Dec.
2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trash_polka#Volker_Merschky_and_Simone_Pfaff.
- “What Does Trash Polka Tattoo Mean?: Represent Symbolism.” Tattoo SEO, www.tattooseo.com/trash-polka-tattoos/.
Like this:
LikeLoading...
Related
abstractGermanyrealismredtattooGatekeeper
Hi there!
All of these and more play into the longevity of a tattoo.
How Will Trash Polka Tattoos Age?
Red and black ink are the trademark colors of Trash Polka, and the bad news is – they are notorious for fading.
Regardless, both colors are often used in tattoos that tend to hold up well to aging, especially in the traditional American tattoo style as well as Japanese Irezumi style.
Given that trash polka has been around for only 20 years, there is no exact data gathered yet on how they will age.
It is widely discussed in the tattoo community that the aging process will be especially hard on trash polka tattoos, particularly if they are in areas that get a lot of exposure to the sun.
The dark black that you always see in trash polka tattoos will evidently be greyer in a few years, possibly changing the overall look of the tattoo.
This means that you will probably have to consider and count on regular touch-ups.
What is The Best Trash Polka Tattoo Placement?
As said before, trash polka tattoo design call for a large-sized canvas.
To fit all the splashes, dots, lines (thick and thin), as well as portraits, and give them the space to heal well and keep their longevity, anything smaller than medium will add another layer of challenge to this already complex designs.
That said, a trash polka tattoo sleeve is a common choice, more often than not it being a half sleeve on the upper arm.
This option is great for both men’s and women’s tattoos.
If you’re looking to have more of a flat and wide area for this tattoo, you should consider trash polka chest tattoo, or a forearm tattoo.
This placement gives it another layer of passion and emotion, as it comes “straight from the heart”
To help you with your research for your next tattoo design, below you will find our best trash polka tattoo ideas from our tattoo guides.
Click on the headline to learn more about each tattoo symbol.
Take a look below to check them out all:
Are you looking for a custom trash polka tattoo design?
They use meaningful words and bold colour to create vibrant tattoos that stand out and somewhere along the line coined the phrase Trash Polka to describe their evolving style.
What is very characteristic of Trash Polka is the limited palette. They add an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to the overall design, creating a collage aspect.
Text and Quotes
Script is significant in Trash Polka tattoos, with phrases, quotes, and words integrated into the design.
Finally, the quality in the execution of the tattoo is the most important element. As a student, you learn every step of the tattooing process from professional artists with the experience and advice you need to build your skills and create incredible tattoos.
With the Artist Accelerator, you can stop wasting time searching through incorrect information.
These tattoos frequently feature black and gray ink, with the primary use of red ink to add striking accents and a touch of color.
Trash Polka tattoos often convey a sense of depth and movement, drawing the viewer's attention to the intricate details and artistic layers within the design.
What Separates Trash Polka from Other Styles of Tattooing?
Trash Polka tattoos are distinctive from other tattoo styles.
Without the right knowledge, it’s impossible to level up your skills and become a professional tattoo artist.
However, finding the straightforward information you need to progress is difficult. Some people who have Trash Polka like this hidden aspect, that not everyone knows exactly what it is. This red is often used in the smears of Trash Polka.