~ FEATURES AND MEDIA ~
Dom’s expertise AND EXPERIENCE NOT ONLY in PRACTICAL ART AND Tattooing, BUT ACROSS MANY forms of LGBTQ and Gender Equality activism has led to them participating in and advising on numerous campaigns WORLDWIDE.
A selection of these varied campaigns, debates, discussions and forums can be seen here, with many more available to access online. While this page is updated as often as possible, more up to date information can be found via Dom’s tattooing instagram page. To commission a piece, or to enquire about Dom’s availability for panels and talks, please use the form on the contact page.
behind the rainbow - 50 years of pride uk
TO COMMEMORATE THE LAUNCH OF THE OFFICIAL PRIDE 50PENCE PIECE, DOM DISCUSSED THEIR DESIGN AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRIDE MOVEMENT 50 YEARS ON WITH THE ROYAL MINT.
The full article can be found here, and covers wide-ranging discussions from design processes to corporate pinkwashing, and the importance of protest and inclusivity within design.
The launch of the coin was covered by a number of news and media outlets worldwide, including HuffPost and DeZeen
Dom also contributed to DeZeen’s article on what Fifty Years of Pride means for design. The piece explores the current situation for LGBTQ+ designers around representation and inclusivity within the industry alongside other queer creatives, and can be read in full here.
“The history of the Pride movement in the UK is very important to me and I felt very honoured to be selected as the artist to depict it through this coin. As an activist, I’m always looking for opportunities to educate and speak up, and so for me, putting Pride on a coin that will be in the hands of the public jumped out at me as an incredibly exciting way to spread the word.”
Beyond Words - Radclife Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University
In March 2019 Dominique was invited by the Radclife Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University to share their expertise with a talk about the importance of tattoos as a non-verbal expression of gender identity.
The full video of Dominique’s talk, including panel discussion and Q&A with moderator Diana Sorensen (James F. Rothenberg Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences) and Perfume expert Chandler Burr ( Author, The Emperor of Scent: A True Story of Perfume and Obsession (Random House, 2002) and The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York (Picador, 2009); Former Perfume Critic, T: The New York Times Style Magazine) can be viewed below.
"Beyond Words: Gender and the Aesthetics of Communication" is a conference, presented by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, which explores the aesthetics of communication, focusing particularly on how we communicate through the body—how we make ourselves look and smell, move and sound. Spotlighting diverse topics to probe how bodily communication engages the senses in ways that are often profoundly gendered.
Dominique talked alongside experts in the fields of Perfume, ASL, dance, AI and STEM, animal behaviour and film.
Dominique is continuing their work on the topic of tattoos as an expression of gender identity and their impact and role in the history of Gender Equality Movements over the last century. For more information on their research and work on their upcoming book, visit the RESEARCH page.
the independent - indie voices
AS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE INDEPENDENT’S INDIE VOICES COLUMNS, DOM CAN OFTEN BE FOUND SHARING THEIR OPINIONS AND EXPERTISE ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND TRENDS REGARDING TATTOOS IN POPULAR CULTURE.
FROM OVERCOMING TATTOO REGRET TO TATTOOS FOR BODY CONFIDENCE AND OVERCOMING TRAUMA, THEIR ARTICLES CAN BE FOUND HERE!
SELF-CONFIDENCE THROUGH TATTOOING. WHY LOUIS THEROUX’S TATTOO IDEA SHOULD BE INSPIRATION FOR US ALL.
The reasons we choose tattoos varies as vastly as the personalites of those getting inked, but so many are connected by themes of self-confidence and self-love, especially where cosmetic tattooing is involved. But as the lines between cosmetic and aesthetic tattooing become blurred, can we be more inspired by the healing properties of tattoos? Read more!
MATCHING TATTOOS. SHOULD YOU?
If you’re thinking about suggesting a family tattoos to you and yours, don’t ask yourself why – instead, ask: “Why not?”. Matching tattoos can be fun, thoughtful and poignant, and you can read more here.
HERE’S HOW TO overcome your TATTOO REGRET
What do you do when the love has faded but the ink remains? Dom’s article for The Independent on how to live with those old tattoos that have lasted long after the love has faded can be seen in full via this link.
“Importantly, don’t let outsiders shame you for your tattoo choices. Forgive the questionable decisions your younger self made. Embrace those decisions, rather than regretting them, and let yourself re-love what made you so happy in the past, it may well lead to happiness once more.”
- Dom Holmes, The Independent
tattoos: an inkin - tortoise festival of think-ins
As part of Tortoise Media’s “Festival of ThinkIns”, Dom took part in a conversation about the evolution of Tattooing in today’s society.
Talking alongside historian Dr. Matt Lodder and tattooer and artist Alex Binnie, and led by Editor and Partner Ravin Sampat, the discussion touched upon subjects such as social and historical trends and perceptions, experiences of discrimination based on tattoos, and the problems with misogyny and discrimination within the industry.
Highlights of the discussion can be viewed above, and you can find out more about the ground-breaking journalism company at Tortoise Media
LONDON QUEER RESEARCH FORUM @ UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
Dominique was invited by the London Queer Research Forum at University of Westminster to give a talk about the powerful impact of two separate Lesbian communities who used tattoos to push for social and political change.
From research for their upcoming book on the connections between Tattooing and Gender Politics, “TATTOOING LESBIAN COMMUNITIES: THE PERSONAL AND POLITICAL” highlights the important role of two queer communities from the 1950s New York, and 1980s in London, whose histories remain very much untold. Available very soon online.
NATIONAL AIDS TRUST
LET’S END STIGMA CAMPAIGN
Dominique worked alongside the National AIDS Trust as part of their Let’s End Stigma campaign, focussed around ending the discrimination that individuals living with HIV face in every day life and situations. Dominique’s blog piece on Tattooing and HIV was published by Openly News, and can be read in full here
Dom’s ongoing work with, and support for NAT continues, as they work to raise awareness of campaigns such as U=U.
“The lack of awareness and knowledge of HIV within the tattoo and body modification industries is symptomatic of the lack of about understanding about the virus across society.”
- Dom Holmes, Openly News.
london tattoo convention: the future of tattooing
In association with Bulleit and the London Tattoo Convention, Dominique joined Dr Matt Lodder, tattooer Ross Nagle and convention organiser and publisher of TattooLife Magazine Miki Vialetto to discuss the evolution of the tattoo world, and what the future of the industry might look like, followed by a Q&A with the convention audience.
L-R: Dr. Matt Lodder, Dominique Holmes, Ross Nagle, Miki Vialetto
the beauty project at selfridges
As part of Selfridges Beauty Project, Sali Hughes hosted an evening’s debate on the role of tattoos in the beauty sphere. Topics of discussion included whether tattooing and body modification should be considered as a form of cosmetic surgery, and if it should be deemed a fashion or rebellion. Dominique spoke alongside historian Dr. Matt Lodder, chef and former body piercer Gizzi Erskine, writer Sarah Morgan, and panel host Sali Hughes.
L-R: Sali Hughes, Dominique Holmes, Gizzi Erskine, Sarah Morgan, Dr. Matt Lodder
press and publicity
Dom has featured in numerous publications. They have been profiled for her artwork and activism in magazines including Kerrang!, Tattoo Life and FMS, has contributed to pieces in Elle, Things and Ink and The Guardian amongst many others, and have been listed numerous times by the likes of PopSugar, HuffPost and Buzzfeed as one of the top artists in the world to follow. A curated selection of these profiles, articles and news pieces can be viewed via the links below.
