Kari Barba | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 10, 1960 Minneapolis |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Illustrative Realism style tattooing |
Kari Barba (born July 10, 1960) is an American tattoo artist and painter from Minneapolis. [1] Barba has been practicing art for over 45 years and is best known for her work for women within the tattoo industry. [2] Barba is based in Long Beach, California. She is co-owner of Outer Limits Tattoo in Long Beach, CA, the oldest tattoo shop in the United States. She also owns Outer Limits Tattoo in Costa Mesa [3]
At 19 years old, Barba began her tattoo art career. [4] In 1980, she moved from Minnesota to California to pursue tattooing full time. [5] By 1983, she opened her first tattoo shop in Anaheim, California, Twilight Fantasy. [6] [7] From the beginning, Barba prioritized hiring female tattooers in order to diversify the notoriously male industry. [8]
Since 1985, Barba has earned more than 500 awards for tattoo excellence. She won the Best Tattooist and also Best Overseas Tattooist twice. [9] In 1985, she won Best Black and Grey Tattoo in Seattle, WA. [10] In 1987, she won her first National Tattoo Associations' Tattooist of the Year. [11]
Barba is known for her illustrative realism style. [12] She is one of the first artists to tattoo in the style of color realism. [13] Barba was one of the first tattoo artist to wear gloves and wrap her equipment, and therefore recognized for spearheading the sterile standards in the tattoo industry. [2]
Her accomplishments include the acquisition of a historically important tattoo shop and museum. In 2002, Barba acquired 22 S. Chestnut Pl in Long Beach. [14] The location, originally opened by renowned tattooist Bert Grimm, has operated as a tattoo shop since 1927. [15] The shop also houses a tattoo museum paying tribute to The Pike and artists past. [16]
A silicone arm tattooed by Barba was featured in an exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in 2018. [17] Barba is regularly part of the jury of experts for the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, France. [18]
Barba's final apprentice is her granddaughter and tattooist Mia Barba. [19]
Barba is married to her wife of 19 years, Teri Mullins. Barba's son is a tattooist and shop owner and her daughter is a successful professional at Orange Coast Community College. She has two granddaughters. [23]