In the world of tattoos, choosing the perfect design can be a painstakingly careful process. But what happens when a tattoo becomes a constant reminder of traumatic experiences? That’s where Dr. Tatiana A. Khrom comes in. As a renowned laser removal expert, she worked with countless individuals to help them move past their trauma by removing the tattoos that caused them pain. Sadly, Dr. Khrom passed away in June 2021, but her impact on the industry and the lives of those she helped remains profound. In Alberta, tattoo artists are paying tribute to her memory by sharing stories of the impact she had on their clients’ lives.
Ben Alway, a renowned tattoo removal specialist in Alberta, is being remembered for his generosity and passion for helping young people get a fresh start. Alway passed away in March, but his legacy lives on at the Edmonton Tattoo and Arts Festival this year. Artists are coming together to pay tribute to him and remember his vibrant personality.
The festival’s annual “bad tattoo competition” has been renamed the Ben Alway Memorial Bad Tattoo Contest in his honor. Alway used to sponsor the competition and offered free laser removal sessions for winners. While the competition comes with a sense of humor, Alway was also known for giving free tattoo removal to people who needed to get rid of traumatic reminders of their past.
Social workers and outreach teams would bring clients to Alway if they needed help with tattoos they couldn’t afford to get rid of. This could include individuals who were trying to change their lives after coming out of prison but struggled to land a job due to gang markings tattooed in places they can’t cover up, like their face and hands. Mark Cherrington, an advocate with the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, would seek Alway’s help when he worked with young women tattooed without their consent by pimps or abusive partners.
Alway spoke about his work in tattoo removal in an interview with CBC’s Edmonton AM in 2017, saying, “Ultimately, the way I see it is, if it’s something for me that might take very little time, or I have the capacity to do it, and it has the ability to perhaps change someone’s life in a profound way, why not? We all have the responsibility to the greater idea, not just of that person, but the community we want to live in.”
Jen Mills, who worked with Alway at his business Second Skin Tattoo Removal for years, said in a message to CBC News that Alway’s legacy carries on with those who worked alongside him. “Ben was a pioneer in the laser tattoo industry and we are very blessed to have had access to his mind for many years,” she said.
While other removal specialists may step up to continue helping people for free, Cherrington hopes to see Alway’s compassionate approach to tattoo removal live on. “His personality just really fit well with vulnerable people,” Cherrington said. “Someone [else] might be willing and able, but they might just not have the nuances and the personality to gain that instant trust that the women and girls I work with need.”
Edmonton Tattoo and Arts Festival organizer Steve Peace described Alway as a go-to guy for removal among Alberta’s tattoo community, helping them get rid of poorly done or dated work so they could replace it with something new. But offering his work for free speaks to a bigger part of Alway’s character, Peace said. “It would have been nothing to Ben to offer a quick session … where to [the client], it’s the world. It changes their life,” he said.
For Alberta artists and the tattoo community, this year’s festival will be a time to honor someone who was a fixture at the show each year. The festival’s first day, “Tracksuit Day,” encourages exhibitors and attendees to show up in a tracksuit reminiscent of Alway’s signature style at the event.
“He was friendly and kind on top of being a good business person. The business is all great and everything, but we’re definitely remembering the person … One of our favorite people to run into every year,” Peace said.
In a world where tattoos can have significant symbolic meaning, Alway’s work in tattoo removal provided people with the opportunity for a fresh start. His compassion and generosity towards those in need have left a lasting impact on the tattoo community, and his legacy lives on through those he inspired.
In conclusion, the story of how Alberta tattoo artists paid tribute to a laser removal expert who helped individuals move past their trauma is truly inspiring. The dedication and admiration that these artists held towards the late expert is a testament to the impact he had on the lives of those he helped. The skills and techniques passed on by the expert will continue to be used by these tattoo artists in their work. Let us take a moment to remember the impact this expert had on the community and take pride in the collaboration of these artists who aim to heal and empower individuals through their art.
