280 Tattoos, One Mission: To Turn The Tide On Suicide

The term “legendary” barely does Chapel Street’s Chapel Tattoo justice. 

For over 30 years, the Windsor studio has been a destination for local and visiting tattoo enthusiasts, with their clientele ranging from seasoned, ink-covered collectors, through to bright-eyed first-timers. 

It’s a culture that co-owner and tattoo artist Andrew Mcleod (@peppermintjones on Insta) has fostered; walk in the doors of Chapel and there’s no bravado or exclusivity, just warm smiles and happy greetings from staff.

From December the studio will host a massive activation for not-for-profit organisation In Pieces, which will see Andrew’s Rock of Ages artwork divided into 280 puzzle pieces and tattooed onto individuals, symbolising the strength of connection. 

Money raised from the initiative will go towards suicide awareness campaigns and providing practical mental health training.

The issue of suicide is one that has personally touched Andrew, and he recognised the opportunity to actively contribute something to the wider community. 

“Suicide has affected my family directly, my broader family as well as closer to home,” he says. “I've had to go through it and have seen my other family members going through it too, it was pretty hard… You feel like you could maybe have done more or you question yourself to wonder whether you could have done more.”

The Rock of Ages artwork that Andrew has reimagined for the initiative serves not only as a staunch reminder of the importance of resilience, but also, for Andrew, as a beacon of optimism.

“It's a pretty well-known back piece design. I've always just really loved it. I'm not a religious person but I've always just really, really dug the design. It's got power, it's got something about it. And there's salvation, there's hope, there's all sorts of connotations with it. To me, it's quite a powerful image," he says.

To roll out the 280 tattoos, Andrew has enlisted resident artists from Chapel Tattoo, many of whom have had their own experiences with suicide, reflecting the devastating statistic that suicide is the biggest killer of Australians aged 18 to 44.

“I think it was a bit too much to try and take on by myself. I've been tattooing for 30 years but it's a big, big undertaking… When I put it to people here, they were really, really open and all for it. Because I'm sure it's affected other people in the shop—I know it has."

Olympic boxer and mental health advocate Harry Garside, professional skateboarders Nick Boserio and Hayley Wilson, artist Lochlan Sutherland AKA Rholtsu, and celebrity chef James Hurlston AKA Jimmy’s Burgers have all joined In Pieces as ambassadors, and have been tattooed by Andrew.

Speaking to the key mission of In Pieces, who hosted a Sydney activation last year with Gummy Johnston of Thanks Tattoo, the engagement within the community that you are privy to as a tattoo artist is practically unrivalled.

“You can make some real connections with people for sure, and people will tend to give you their life story,” Andrew says. “But I'm always happy to listen to people for sure, I like it. And it goes both ways too. I've got some great customers I've really talked to, had some pretty deep conversations with as well which has helped me for sure.”

Tattoo pieces and appointments for the Melbourne activation are now on sale via the In Pieces website alongside a clothing capsule made in collaboration with Alfred’s Apartment, and raffle tickets with prizes from Fender, Epøkhe, Skullcandy and more.

Images: Ray Rolla