JOOPITER, the platform founded by Pharrell Williams, has launched a new auction titled "INKED: Tattoos by Contemporary Artists," curated by Sharon Coplan. The auction features sixteen international artists—including Sarah Andelman, Derrick Adams, Thom Browne, Jeffrey Gibson, Titus Kaphar, Marilyn Minter, Mickalene Thomas, and tattoo artist Dr. Woo—who each created a unique, signed drawing intended to be tattooed on skin or displayed as standalone artwork on paper. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity, and the buyer may choose to have the design tattooed or keep it as a collectible print.
This auction matters because it redefines the boundaries of art collecting by treating the human body as a legitimate artistic space, merging contemporary art, fashion, and visual culture in a new transactional format. It also raises questions about permanence, identity, and the commodification of skin, while part of the proceeds supports charitable organizations chosen by the artists. As JOOPITER's first auction dedicated entirely to body art, it signals a growing market for ephemeral and experiential art forms.