collectible body art: tattoos by lawrence weiner, peter marino and more hit the auction block

JOOPITER launches its first-ever tattoo auction

JOOPITER, Pharrell Williams’s auction platform, ventures into new territory with Inked: Tattoos by Contemporary Artists, its first-ever standalone tattoo auction featuring commissioned designs by sixteen artists. The sale opens for global bidding from October 22nd to 31st, 2025, at the platform’s website, while select designs will be previewed at Dover Street Market during Art Basel Paris.

Curated by author Sharon Coplan, the project reconsiders what it means to make, wear, and collect artworks that exist not just on walls or in collections, but on skin. Each invited artist was asked to develop a tattoo that stems from a core visual or conceptual thread within their practice, resulting in designs that are meant to be worn yet also stand alone as autonomous works. The diverse roster includes Derrick Adams, Thom Browne, Jeffrey Gibson, Gabriela Hearst, Haroshi, Stephen Jones, Titus Kaphar, Mickalene Thomas, Joel Mesler, Marilyn Minter, Peter Marino, Dr. Woo, Adam Pendleton, Tavares Strachan, Sarah Andelman, and the late Lawrence Weiner, figures whose participation underscores the cross-disciplinary reach of the project. 

Joel Mesler, Heart Vines, 2025 | © Joel Mesler

Inked is A Tribute to Lawrence Weiner

At the conceptual core of JOOPITER’s Inked lies the reissue of a tattoo by Lawrence Weiner, created during his lifetime and released posthumously by his estate. Weiner’s contribution points to a longer lineage of artists using the body as both surface and site, where tattoos and printmaking share a material logic of transfer, reproduction, and permanence. ‘With Lawrence Weiner’s historic tattoo project as my starting point, it has been an honor to work with this illustrious group of artists to bring Inked: Tattoos by Contemporary Artists to life with JOOPITER,’ says curator Sharon Coplan. ‘This project offers collectors a unique way of engaging and living with art designed for the body.’

Caitlin Donovan, Global Head of Sale at the digital-first commerce platform, describes the initiative as ‘the ultimate convergence of contemporary art, fashion and collectibility.’ She adds: ‘It offers a new kind of engagement with artwork: not just to hang or hold, but to inhabit — an invitation to live with art not in your space, but on your body.’

Dr. Woo, Remaining Feature, 2025 | © Dr. Woo 2025

select designs on preview at Dover Street Market Paris

Each unique tattoo design will be accompanied by a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity, along with any artist-provided notes for execution by a tattooer. One edition of each design will be auctioned individually, while a complete set will be reserved for institutional donation. Artists will retain an Artist’s Proof and may direct part of their proceeds to a charity of their choice.

Select designs from Inked: Tattoos by Contemporary Artists will be previewed at Dover Street Market Paris to coincide with Art Basel Paris, offering a rare opportunity to view these editions in person before they are acquired and, ultimately, transferred onto skin.

Lawrence Weiner HEAD OVER HEELS AFTER MARX & ANGELS, 2010/2025 | © Lawrence Weiner Estate, 2025

Derrick Adams, Floater (Golden Swan), 2025 | © Derrick Adams Studio, 2025

Sarah Andelman, JUST A TATTOO, 2025 | © Sarah Andelman, © Yorgo Tloupas, 2025

Thom Browne …rwb1…, 2025 Tattoo in three colors (PANTONE: True Red, Star White, Total Eclipse) | ©2025 THOM BROWNE

Jeffrey Gibson LOVE, 2025 | © Jeffrey Gibson

Haroshi, GUZO RIPPER, 2025 | © HAROSHI, 2025

Gabriela Hearst Amigos, 2025 | © Gabriela Hearst 2025

Titus Kaphar Ascension, 2025 | © Ascension, 2025 by Titus Kaphar

Peter Marino Peter’s Dragons, 2025 | © Peter Marino

Marilyn Minter After Guston, #5 (Mouth), 2025 | © Marilyn Minter

Adam Pendleton, The Possibilities of You and Me, 2025 | © Adam Pendleton, 2025

Tavares Strachan YOU BELONG HERE, 2025 | © Tavares Strachan 2025

1/19

Mickalene Thomas, October 1950, 2025, Tattoo in five colors | © Mickalene Thomas, 2025

© Mickalene Thomas, 2025

Stephen Jones, Top Top Hat, 2025 | © Stephen Jones Millinery, 2025

'It’s an unofficial motif of what I do, and how I think a hat should be.' Stephen Jones | , 2025. proceeds from the sale will be donated to Brain Tumour Research on behalf of the artist © Stephen Jones Millinery

proceeds from the sale will be donated to CFDA on behalf of the artist | ©2025 THOM BROWNE

©2025 THOM BROWNE

proceeds from the sale will be donated to American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the artist | © Lawrence Weiner Estate, 2025

'I’ve always wanted to wear my heart on my sleeve.' © Joel Mesler | proceeds from the sale will be donated to Chabad House Bowery on behalf of the artist

proceeds from the sale will be donated to Planned Parenthood on behalf of the artist | © Marilyn Minter

proceeds from the sale will be donated to Dia Art Foundation on behalf of the artist © Adam Pendleton, 2025

proceeds from the sale will be donated to NXT HVN on behalf of the artist | © Ascension, 2025 by Titus Kaphar 

proceeds from the sale will be donated to Charm City Cultural Cultivation on behalf of the artist © Derrick Adams Studio, 2025

proceeds from the sale will be donated to Save the Children on behalf of the artist | © Gabriela Hearst 2025

proceeds from the sale will be donated to Venetian Heritage on behalf of the artist | © Peter Marino

© Jeffrey Gibson 

'I wanted to make a work that everyone can own—one that everyone can have. . . . Because as soon as you read it, you say, ‘I belong here,’ and you do belong.' © Tavares Strachan 2025

© Sarah Andelman, © Yorgo Tloupas, 2025 

'Our little ideas can breed growth and set things aflame long after we are eaten away.' - Dr. Woo

'Paying homage to the iconic 1980s Powell Peralta graphic ‘Ripper,’ this work was reimagined as one of Haroshi’s signature pieces, ‘GUZO,’ using reclaimed skateboard decks as its core material.' © HAROSHI, 2025 | proceeds from the sale will be donated to Wonders Around the World on behalf of the artist

project info:

name: Inked: Tattoos by Contemporary Artists

organizer: JOOPITER | @joopiterofficial

curator: Sharon Coplan

participating artists: Derrick Adams, Thom Browne, Jeffrey Gibson, Gabriela Hearst, Haroshi, Stephen Jones, Titus Kaphar, Mickalene Thomas, Joel Mesler, Marilyn Minter, Peter Marino, Dr Woo, Adam Pendleton, Tavares Strachan, Sarah Andelman, and the late Lawrence Weiner

auction dates: October 22nd – 31st, 2025