Kari Barba | |
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Born | Minneapolis | July 10, 1960
Nationality | American |
Known for | Illustrative Realism style tattooing |
Kari Barba (born July 10, 1960) is an American tattoo artist and painter from Minneapolis.[1] Barba has been practicing art for over 40 years and is best known for her work for women within the tattoo industry.[2] Barba is based in Long Beach, California. She is the owner of Outer Limits Tattoo, the oldest tattoo shop in the United States.[3]
At 19 years old, Barba began her tattoo art career.[4] In 1980, she moved from Minnesota to California to pursue tattooing full time.[5] By 1983, she opened her first tattoo shop in Anaheim, California, Twilight Fantasy.[6] From the beginning, Barba prioritized hiring female tattooers in order to diversify the notoriously male industry.[7]
Since 1985, Barba has earned more than 500 awards for tattoo excellence. She won the Best Tattooist and also Best Overseas Tattooist twice.[8] In 1985, she won Best Black and Grey Tattoo in Seattle, WA.[9] In 1987, she won her first National Tattoo Associations' Tattooist of the Year.[10]
Barba is known for her illustrative realism style.[11] She is one of the first artists to tattoo in the style of color realism.[12] Barba was one of the first tattoo artist to wear gloves and wrap her equipment, and therefore recognized for spearheading the sterile standards in the tattoo industry.[2]
Her accomplishments include the acquisition of a historically important tattoo shop and museum. In 2002, Barba acquired 22 S. Chestnut Pl in Long Beach.[13] The location, originally opened by renowned tattooist Bert Grimm, has operated as a tattoo shop since 1927.[14] The shop also houses a tattoo museum paying tribute to The Pike and artists past.[15]
A silicone arm tattooed by Barba was featured in an exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in 2018.[16] Barba is regularly part of the jury of experts for the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, France.[17]
Barba's 4th and final apprentice was tattooist Jenny Nguyen.[18]
Barba's son, Jeremiah Barba, is a tattooist and shop owner.[22]