The Bert Grimm Tattoo Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Grimm Tattoo family.
Established in 1980 in Kansas City, Missouri, Grimm Tattoo has been an iconic landmark of tattoo culture to generations of locals. Grimm Tattoo serves as the last tattoo shop opened by the legendary Bert Grimm with the help of his son Gene Grimm, and Gene’s grandson, Wes Grimm.
With over a century’s worth of original flash, tattoo machines, and artifacts, Bert Grimm Tattoo Museum is home to one of the most provenanced collections of tattoo memorabilia in the country.
This exhibition will display the personal history of tattooing through the eyes and hands of the legendary Bert Grimm. The history lives on with great-grandson Wes Grimm’s extensive collection of Bert’s tattoo flash, machines, photographs, and numerous interviews and newspaper articles. Viewers will be immersed in a century’s worth of subculture that has been passed through the generations like a folk tale. They will walk away with an understanding of the history and culture behind the processes in which tattoos are conceived, designed, and applied. This education will help perpetuate the appreciation and understanding of the greater influence tattoo iconography has had on our society as a whole. To quote Bert, “This business is fascinating.”
Wes Grimm – Founder / Owner
Wes Grimm started his career as a tattoo artist in 1980, starting at Bert’s shop, which was opened at 3835 Main Street in Kansas City, MO.
With over 40+ years of experience, Wes cultivated the industry and has preserved the Grimm family foundation since Bert’s passing in 1985.
Wes’s focus as an artist was inspired by his surroundings and, of course, the mentorship of Bert and Gene Grimm. “I wanted to do it all, I was always exploring different styles.”
Gene Grimm
Gene Grimm was born in 1917 in Springfield, Missouri. Gene learned the art of tattooing while in St. Louis from his father, Bert Grimm, during the Great Depression in the 1930s. During World War II, Gene served as a quartermaster for the US Navy and even spent time at sea, where he was forced to replace another sailor who had previously been on two other ships. All the while, he continued to tattoo, and while at sea, he used a torpedo battery for a power supply to run his tattoo machine. After the war, Gene found new passions for wrestling, bodybuilding, and acting in Western films. Due to his involvement with classified nuclear projects while serving in the Navy, Gene held a high-security clearance which he later utilized to work as head of security for Bendix in Kansas City. During this time, Gene continued to tattoo out of his basement until opening Grimm Tattoo with Bert in 1980.
Bert Grimm
Bert Grimm was born Edward Cecil Reardon, on February 8, 1900, in Springfield, Missouri. He was the fourth-born of 12 children, a standard of the time for a big catholic family such as his. Bert began tattooing at the early age of 15 in Chicago after traveling with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West show. During his life, Bert Tattooed across the nation and opened several shops across the United States in cities such as St. Louis, San Diego, Long Beach, Portland, and eventually Kansas City. Bert continued to practice tattoo art until his death in 1985.
Our Artists
The Bert Grimm Tattoo Museum offers, as one would say, a performative piece or as some would say, an interactive exhibit. Where you can witness the art of tattooing. You can even be the one in the chair getting your very own Bert Grimm flash from artists who all worked under the Grimm family name and have proven themselves as artists who will properly preserve the Grimm family name through their work. You can read about our artists below.
David “Davey” Gant
Davey Gant’s interest in art began in sixth grade when a teacher introduced him to painting. One particular artist he remembers being immediately influenced by was artist Wayne Thiebaud with his vibrant use of color. Through self-guided development, his interest expanded to portraiture. During Portfolio Day at the Kansas City Art Institute, his work stood out to the faculty. Though a Junior, Davey found a way to graduate early, to then go on to study at KCAI. His first introduction to tattoos was at 18, trading his paintings for work. The gesture of this artist stood out in supporting both Davey’s paintings and his interest in tattoos. Throughout his early twenties, Davey maneuvered his way to be a fine artist by supporting himself through work in advertising and film production. Later on, a colleague was tattooing at Grimm and recommended that he explore the idea of working there. Looking for more income consistency after working as a freelancer, he took the chance and knew immediately that the tattoo industry was the niche he was seeking. With inspiration from Wes, while apprenticing, Davey began seeing his previous experiences and artistic goals aligning with tattooing and its connected culture. With a side passion for history, the extensive lore of the Grimm family added another layer of intrigue. Now five years later, the Museum project could not be in its form without the care Davey has contributed. We are proud to have him as a resident artist.