Musician Grimes has sparked a wave of mixed reactions after unveiling a subtle new face tattoo, which she described as “novel” and innovative in a social media post. The barely perceptible ring near her left eye left fans divided, with some expressing confusion and others admiration for the artistic choice.
Grimes, the 37-year-old artist, shared the tattoo in an Instagram snapshot on Wednesday, revealing that it took her a decade to emotionally prepare for a face tattoo. She noted that the ink was so delicate that even her parents failed to notice it initially, despite her appearance in the recent music video for “Artificial Angels.” This revelation highlights the tattoo’s understated nature and Grimes’ personal journey toward self-expression through body art.
The tattoo was created by the artist known as Glyphomancer, who specializes in cybersigilism, a modern aesthetic blending ancient sigil symbolism with cyberpunk elements. Grimes praised the work as truly innovative, emphasizing its beauty, delicacy, and potential to redefine tattoo artistry. She further expressed on X that this is her favorite tattoo, underscoring her commitment to pushing creative boundaries in an era she believes is experiencing a tattoo renaissance.
Fan reactions were sharply polarized, with some followers left “so confused” by the design. Comments ranged from humorous queries like “Is the face tattoo in the room with us?” to comparisons with ringworm, reflecting a segment of the audience’s bewilderment. Conversely, others were enamored, noting how the tattoo complemented her blonde hair and symbolized a unique form of self-adornment, with remarks such as “I dig it” and “Gorgeous” flooding the comments.
This isn’t Grimes’ first venture into body art; she previously debuted a full leg tattoo in red ink in 2023 and has long expressed a desire to be “totally covered” in “alien” tattoos. Three years ago, she teased the possibility of a face tattoo, indicating a sustained interest in this form of expression. Her evolving tattoo journey mirrors broader cultural shifts where body art is increasingly embraced as a personal narrative rather than mere decoration.
Grimes, who shares three children with ex-partner Elon Musk, joins a list of celebrities like Justin Bieber, Amanda Bynes, and Post Malone who have face tattoos, normalizing such choices in mainstream entertainment. This move reflects a trend where public figures use body art to assert individuality, potentially influencing fans and the tattoo industry toward more symbolic and subtle designs.
Despite the divided feedback, Grimes remains steadfast in her appreciation for the tattoo, viewing it as a testament to innovation in the art form. The incident sheds light on evolving societal perceptions of tattoos, where delicacy and meaning can outweigh boldness, and how artists like Glyphomancer are pioneering new aesthetic frontiers.
Looking ahead, Grimes’ new tattoo may inspire further exploration of cybersigilism and similar styles in body art, encouraging a blend of tradition and futurism. As she continues to innovate in music and personal style, this event reinforces her role as an avant-garde influencer, likely prompting ongoing discussions about creativity and self-expression in the public sphere.