Many modern tattoo artists, like contemporary Japanese painters, sculptors, and performing artists, have drawn on traditional Japanese motifs to inspire their work. For all of these artists, various aspects of tradition have been used to reflect the persistence, relevance, and continuing evolution of their work, while they have turned to outside influences to help them conceive new forms and concepts. Drawing from works of art in VMFA’s collection and from the special exhibition Japanese Tattoo: Perseverance, Art and Tradition, this two-part class will explore the use of Modern and Contemporary Japanese art and introduce students to artists and themes in Japanese art from the mid-20th century to the present. This class complements the special exhibition Japanese Tattoo: Perseverance, Art and Tradition.