ink © Lilly Schwartz

If you’re thinking that the composition is a bit off on this one, then I can easily explain why. The tattoo is on my right arm and I was shooting this without the help of a mirror, i.e. one-handed with my left. It was basically pure luck that I got at least one usable picture out of it. And just when I was getting the hang of it, my battery gave out. I still think it’s not a bad picture, or else I would have posted one of the backup shots I made with my iPod.

The tattoo is the logo of the band Einstürzende Neubauten. Back in the day they used to make quite harsh music and they were known for using all sorts of metal junk as their percussion instruments. They have become softer over the years and probably so have I. Many years ago I was already thinking of getting this tattoo, but even when I was old enough I decided to wait. I wanted to see whether it actually stayed relevant. In the end I decided to finally go through with it just before my 25th birthday, after having the urge, on and off, for over 8 years.

I got it in a tattoo shop in Brighton which was recommended to me by a friend. It was such a surreal experience and it ended with me standing at a supermarket till with a packet of meat, medical tape, cling film and some pain killers. I can assure you that I rarely ever got such a puzzled look from a supermarket employee. And no, the packet of meat had nothing to do with the tattoo; it was part of my dinner …