A curious scene unfolded at Mathews-Palmer Playground between 45th and 46th Streets in Hell’s Kitchen on Monday afternoon when passersby and park employees observed a man getting a chest tattoo, which was deemed impressive yet unsanitary by an experienced tattoo artist who happened to be nearby. The tattooist, unidentified but seemingly skilled, crafted a grayscale lion tribal piece on the recipient’s chest.
In New York State, professional licensing is required for individuals to cut hair, tattoo, or perform orthodontic work; the Department of Health oversees licensing for tattoo artists. To operate in New York City, tattooists must also pass a written test and complete a three-hour Infection Control Course. However, this man’s tattoo session took place just inches from playground equipment, with needles and ink resting on an open concrete table that housed pigeons when The Post visited the park this week.
Darian Ramjit, a 29-year-old tattoo artist, spoke to the unknown tattooist but found his English proficiency limited; he did mention that both parties appeared to be Latino and possibly friends. Fabian Johnson, a city Parks Department employee with eight years of experience, shared that witnessing Monday’s unusual event was one of the strangest experiences he had encountered in his time working at the park.
The playground has become somewhat of a hub for delivery drivers, addicts, and homeless individuals; park employees mentioned that haircuts were not an uncommon sight but noted that dental braces were put on two Spanish adults just two weeks prior. The city Parks Department issued a statement clarifying that providing any services for a fee on parkland without a concession license is illegal, emphasizing the necessity of licensing for tattoo artists and urging people to report incidents of public parks with 311 requests.
This event comes as the second public tattooing occurrence in New York City within the past two months. In July, disturbing footage captured outside Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City showed a man with one glove tattooing another individual’s neck on an outdoor bench at the public housing development.
