How Did Leo Zulueta Impact Society

Kerra Leinen

US History Period 4

Mrs. Goodall

May 15, 2015

HJRP Final Draft

Leo Zulueta is known as the father of modern tribal tattooing in the US because he not only introduced the U.S. to these cultural arts but he made his own style out of it. Tattooing in the U.S. was something that was not very socially acceptable, but now it is becoming increasingly more popular. In many cultures, tattooing was used as an art form, but also a way to identify certain people. Leo Zulueta is important to the tattooing world because he created a unique style and was one of many tattoo artists that helped change the public opinion of tattoos. He is originally from The Hawaiian Islands, and later moved to San Diego. Zulueta’s original inspirations were from

He helped bring tattooing into a new light and revive and renew an ancient art form while simultaneously modernizing the style. There is no greater compliment to an artist's legacy than being known for innovating and establishing a style of art. Monet transformed the brush stroke that blends and smoothes colors by blotching the paint on the canvass instead, creating the Impressionist style of painting. Warhol reproduced cultural icons in brightly colored silk screens to create what is now known as Pop Art. Leo Zulueta took ancient cultural tattooing and redrew it in a more modern graphic style to form what is now known as modern tribal

Don Ed Hardy was one of the artists that opened up people’s minds to the world of tattooing. Tattoos were not just for people in prison, but they were a form of self-expression and an art form. Tattoos in the U.S. at the time were mainly used by criminals as identification or by the army for a similar purpose. Zulueta studied under Hardy for a few years and learned the art tattooing from him, and was encouraged by Hardy to peruse his own unique tribal