Christchurch bar The Rockpool refuses entry to artist with facial tattoos

Jesse Wright says he was mocked by bouncers when he tried to explain the meaning of his tattoos. Photo / Facebook

An artist was refused entry into a bar after he was singled out by bouncers due to his facial tattoos and mocked as he tried to explain their sentimental meaning.

Jesse Wright, 22, was attempting to celebrate his birthday at The Rockpool in Christchurch with a group of friends on Friday and was "highly offended" at his markings being labelled "gang affiliated".

Mr Wright even offered to cover his more prominent tattoos with a friend's makeup and was still turned away.

"Disgusted you think it's fine to turn away someone based on what their skin looks like," Mr Wright posted on The Rockpool's Facebook on Saturday.

"What's to say I'm worse or better than any other one of the people going inside your venue."

Mr Wright said after checking the ID of 30 of his friends, the security guards then 'grabbed and pushed him aside,' asking him to explain the meaning behind his tattoos, including the number 75 on his cheek.

After explaining that it symbolised the year his mother was born, one of the bouncers made a disrespectful remark about her.

"The tattoos on my face have more meaning than any other tattoo on my body," Mr Wright told Stuff.co.nz. "My mum is my best friend, my everything basically. Underneath that tattoo is one of an anchor, that symbolises how my mum holds me down."

The owner of The Rockpool, Peter Whittaker, told Fairfax that his establishment did not welcome those with visible facial tattoos.

"Not everyone is automatically excluded but we don't want that profile of person there," Mr Whittaker said.

Mr Wright said that he would lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission and does not want any other patron to be discriminated against.

"I know I'm not the only one out there with face tattoos and if we all want to go out and have a drink, why should we be turned down by what we look like?" Mr Wright said. "Love your skin... It's your skin, you do what you want with it."

- Daily Mail