When Captain Cook and his crew aboard HM Bark Endeavour first sailed to Tahiti in 1769, they discovered a sophisticated people with ornate skin decorations they called 'tataow'. Some of the crew had tattoos as souvenirs of their visit, including Darlington-born Robert Stainsby, who was one of the first British sailors recorded as having these markings.

From that time the art of tattoo proliferated around the globe, shipped from port to port by seafarers.

The legacy of Cook and Robert Stainsby can be glimpsed in 'Tattoos of the Tees Valley', a portrait exhibition created for The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum by Wideyed photographers Lucy Carolan and Richard Glynn, with Sophie Ingleby.

In the course of their individual explorations, the photographers discovered a thriving regional tattoo scene, with people wearing a variety of decorations ranging from contemporary bespoke designs to traditional 'flash' art and historical Polynesian markings. Their portraits offer insights into a range of tattoos and  some of their meanings.

'Tattoos of the Tees Valley' was first exhibited at The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum 17th July - 4th October 2009. 

The exhibition is currently on show at The Maritime Museum 20th April - 11th April 2010, and will subsequently tour to other venues.