Award-Winning Body Artist Opens Ashland Tattoo Studio

Mar 5, 2009 all day
Location: 611 Siskiyou Boulevard, Suite 2, Ashland
Latest Activity: Nov 8, 2022

Universal Rites Tattoo is the newest tattoo shop in southern Oregon, but owner/artist Benja Burlingame has been adorning people’s bodies with art for over 14 years. He decided to move to Ashland from Santa Cruz, California to open his visionary body art studio because of the artistic and spiritual community here.“The work I do is a little different than most tattoo shops,” said Benja. “I try to merge my skills as a classically trained fine artist with the traditional spiritual roots of the tattoo ritual.”The studio, at 611 Siskiyou Blvd. #2 (next to Safeway), is an all custom body art studio that focuses on the transformative aspect of tattoos. “A lot of the time people aren‘t even aware of why they‘re compelled to get tattooed,” Benja said, “but when you get down to talking with them, you find out they are going through a divorce or just lost someone close or something. Tattooing is way for people make a positive change in their lives in a way they can control.”Benja started tattooing in the San Francisco Bay area back in 1994. He studied classical illustration at the San Francisco Academy of Art College, and has worked both full time and as a guest artist at many renowned tattoo studios across the country. His award-winning tattoos have been featured in numerous tattoo magazines, and he continues to travel and attend tattoo conventions regularly. After a 6 month hiatus to New Zealand, he worked the past 4 years in Santa Cruz before moving to Ashland in September.Universal Rites Tattoo will host a monthly series of free presentations on tattooing history and expression around the globe, starting Thursday, March 5th. The first presentation, Transformation Through Tattoos, illustrates the studio’s specialty, tattooing’s potential as a tool for personal and spiritual transformation.“People walk away with a lot more than just what’s in their skin,” said Benja “The tattoo process is about the journey, not just the destination. It’s about the whole experience of getting tattooed.”For more information, contact Benja at Universal Rites Tattoo, 611 Siskiyou Blvd. #2, or call (541) 488-0611. See samples of his work at www.universalrites.com.

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Award-Winning Body Artist Opens Ashland Tattoo Studio

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