Ink in the Lines

Ink in the Lines

Tattoos are a conversation starter.

Many members and veterans of the Australian Defence Forces have tattoos, and while their reasons for getting tattooed are as varied as the people themselves, self-expression and belonging play a part.

They also share a common purpose in getting inked: to remember.

Inscribed on skin are their identities as veterans, the commemoration of loss, experiences of trauma and overcoming adversity, the bonds of family and friends, and acknowledging the experiences that make us who we are.

Tour dates

Venue Official Launch Opening  Closing 
Manly Art Gallery & Museum 9-Jun-23 10-Jun-23 30-Jul-23
Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne 1-Nov-23 2-Nov-23 11-Feb-24
Redcliffe Museum   24-Feb-24 12-May-24
Queensland Maritime Museum 24-May-24 5-Jun-24 24-Nov-24
Bendigo Military Museum 6-Dec-24 7-Dec-24 27-Apr-25

Memorial Tattoo Project

Throughout 2019, The Memorial documented the stories of servicemen and servicewomen through oral history interviews and portrait photography.
Many of the images and stories collected now form the Ink in the Lines exhibition.

Click on these portraits to read some of the stories.

Ink in the Lines
Visit the online exhibition

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