Rarebit Fiend :: Wilson, S. Clay

Specialty piece for tattoo artist Jonathan Shaw, 1989

Artist: S. Clay Wilson (All)

1 Comment - 1,794 Views - 0 Like

Specialty piece for tattoo artist Jonathan Shaw, 1989 Comic Art

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Additional Images:

detail 1

detail 2

detail 3

detail 4

detail 5

note on frame

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Artwork Details

Title:	Specialty piece for tattoo artist Jonathan Shaw, 1989
Artist:	S. Clay Wilson (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Other
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,794
Likes on CAF:	0 1
Comments:	1
Added to Site:	4/29/2014
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This piece has an interesting provenance: it was done for the famous tattoo artist and writer Jonathan Shaw.

Born in new York City in 1953, Shaw moved to Los Angeles with his mother at an early age. During this time Shaw was estranged from his biological father, the jazz musician Artie Shaw. In LA, he met Charles Bukowski, who became an influence on his writing. At the age of 21, Shaw left Los Angeles for Mexico, and eventually settled in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he began tattooing and lived until returning to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, where he was tattooing on the Long Beach Pike, apprenticing under tattooist Bob Shaw. In 1991, he opened the first store-front, public tattoo parlor in New York City, Fun City Tattoo. He served clients like Johnny Depp, Dee Dee Ramone, Howie Pyro, Johnny Winter, Jim Jarmusch, Albert and David Maysles and Max Cavalera. During this time he also became managing editor of International Tattoo Art Magazine, self-described as �the last word on tattoo art from around the world�. In 2001, Shaw sold Fun City and moved back to Rio de Janeiro to focus solely on a writing career.

His first novel, Narcisa Our Lady of Ashes, appeared in July 2008. Love Songs to the Dead was released in October, 2009. Shaw�s third book, a memoir entitled Scab Vendor: Confessions of A Tattoo Artist, with cover art by Robert Crumb, is rumored for publication in 2014.

On his blog, www.scabvendor.com, Shaw describes himself as a �world-traveling outlaw artist, gonzo war-correspondant, novelist, blogger, head doctor, anti-folk hero, whorehouse philosopher, legendary tattoo master and notorious creator of trendsetting underground art�.

Shaw wrote a note on the back of the frame (see additional image below). Yet, this note isn�t entirely truthful. No way did Wilson give this guy the art. He definitely charged him. Wilson only gave art to his closest and oldest friends and also to girlfriends.

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About the Owner

	Rarebit Fiend Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	February 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
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Country:	GERMANY
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Comments on this Artwork

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John Kelly
Member Since 2015

Posted on 11/1/2024

I have to agree, I seriously doubt Wilson gave a piece this intricate to Shaw. It was most likely a commission piece. Wilson was always hustling. He needed constant cash flow, and he was a hard worker. It's a beautiful example, Wilson was a one of a kind. HR Giver also commissioned a piece by Wilson. I asked Wilson what Giger said he wanted, Giger said "send me your vision".

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