An assignment to photograph a story on magic tattoos brought me to a tattoo artist and champion heavy & middle weight boxers, and brothers, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I hired a translator/tuk tuk driver to help me out for these two shoots because they did not speak english. These tattoos are used as symbols, such as to bring protection, or courage, for boxers, soldiers, and businessmen. Women don't normally receive such tattoos. The designs are really intricate and quite interesting. And he offered to do one for me, which maybe next time i'll take him up on it. but probably on my back! The story on the brother boxers was interesting. Here are two champions, and their families, who were evicted by the government in a land-grabbing situation where either high-rises or middle class suburban-style homes will be built. Unfortunately this is all too common in Cambodia. Their home and boxing gym is about 30 min outside Phnom Penh, and they only have space to do it in the street of their residential subdivision. The story was about their tattoos, but I was also interested in their eviction. The elder brother was quite embarrassed that his boxing school takes place in a street and not in a proper gym like before.
To view pictures: Tattoos as protection
To read the story: Magic tattoo business is slow in Cambodia
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