Trash polka

[1][2] The characteristics of Trash Polka tattoos can be a combination of naturalistic, surrealistic,[3] and photorealistic motifs with graphic, lettering, and calligraphic elements primarily in black & red.

[5] Detailed photo-realistic portraits can be displayed in conjunction with graphic elements such as large black areas, brush strokes, and geometric or abstract shapes.

The majority of original Trash Polka tattoos are done as large scale pieces in order to suit the motifs and elements.

[11] The term 'Trash Polka' was created in 1998 by Volker Merschky and Simone Pfaff at Buena Vista Tattoo Club in Würzburg.

[15] Merschky has referred to their style as a “combination of realism and trash; the nature and the abstract; technology and humanity; past, present, and future; opposites that they are trying to urge into a creative dance to harmony and rhythm in tune with the body.

[23] Over time 'Trash Polka' began to receive global recognition & appeared in articles in tattoo magazines, books and websites.

[60] Content in this edit is translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at de:Realistic Trash Polka; see its history for attribution.