The Women of Tattoo Series - Jessie Knight
In this series, I am highlighting some of the different women in tattoo history that I look up to personally and look to for inspiration professionally. Tattoo history is not something that gets a lot of press. In fact, prior to becoming a tattoo artist, I knew very little about the history of tattoos and the artists on whose shoulders I am standing. I am looking forward to highlighting some of the women who blazed the tattoo trail for me.
Birth
Jessie was born in Croydon (South London), England in 1904.
Life
Jessie was born into a large family that worked in the circus. She was known for her horseback riding and sharpshooting skills.
Jessie learned to tattoo from her father and is known for being the first prominent female tattoo artist in the UK.
She opened up a variety of tattoo shops across England, but finished her career working in Barry, UK through the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
She was known for her freehand style of tattooing after drawing a design onto her clients.
Tattoos
Death
Jessie died in 1992 in Barry, Wales where she first began her tattoo journey many years before.
Footage of Jessie Knight tattooing from 1952
