Ink is a permanent connection to what you think and feel, so it’s important to choose a design that suits who you are. In the following article, we present ten of the most unique tattoos in contemporary culture today. Our list includes a variety of styles, from realism to the abstract and everything in between. What they have in common is that they’re all stunning tattoos in their own right, with meanings that run deep in their creators’ psyche.

This list is in no particular order.

1) Hero Fiennes-Tiffin’s Sleeve Tattoo

In 2010, the British actor became a social media star with a simple yet striking tattoo on his right arm. The tattoo depicts the behemoth of a man who was an early mentor to Fiennes, Joseph Merrick (1862-188?). Merrick was famous for his abnormally large body, especially his long arms and unusually long legs. However, it’s his height that continues to inspire. Some reports claim that Merrick stood 7 feet and 3 inches (2.21 m) tall, others say he was as tall as 8 feet (2.43 m).

The tattoo became a viral sensation, garnering thousands of likes and shares on Tumblr, the social media platform at the time. The inspiration for this tattoo, however, goes deeper than popularity alone. Merrick is one of Fiennes’ heroes who inspired him to become an actor in the first place. In the past, Fiennes has spoken candidly to various media outlets about his love of Merrick, especially his dedication to helping other people.

The tattoo is a reminder that it’s not just about being popular or famous but also about being charitable and giving back to your community. The quote below appears under Merrick’s picture on the sleeve:

“If you want to help people, first of all, you have to become aware of what’s going on around you. Then you have to do something about it. Very often, people are too busy trying to make a living, and they don’t have the time.”

Fiennes-Tiffin’s tattoo is an excellent example of dedication to one’s art and the ways that ink can serve as a reminder that the lives we touch are lasting impressions.

The tattoo was done at Grace Adele Tattoo in London. The other side of his arm features a portrait of J.M.W. Turner, a British painter and printmaker known for his iconic works of art, including his painting The Fighting Temeraire (1838).