SINGAPORE: Tattoo artists from all over the world gather in Singapore for the country's second tattoo convention

Record ID: 730871

  • Title: SINGAPORE: Tattoo artists from all over the world gather in Singapore for the country's second tattoo convention
  • Date: 11th January 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF AMANDA ON STAGE
  • Embargoed: 26th January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Singapore
  • Country: Singapore
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAAAGOX6QW7QZRU1DSV7L5I2DOC
  • Story Text: Crowds flocked to Singapore's second tattoo show on Sunday (January 10) to see the works of nearly 400 artists from all over the world and the first Asian "Miss Tattoo" competition finals.
    Organisers said the "Singapore Tat2 2010" hopes to further educate the Singapore public about the art form that is gaining popularity in and around the region.
    On hand were many industry celebrities, including Chris Garver from the "Miami Ink" television season which concluded after the fourth season in 2008.
    "You know, I think Miami Ink definitely made the perception of tattooing in Asia a little bit different, you know, I think when something becomes a little more mainstream, people can, like, understand it a little bit more, it becomes a little bit less of a, you know a little less dangerous," said Garver.
    Event organiser and Singapore tattoo artist, Kirby Lian, said the first convention last year boosted popularity of tattoos and also the skills of local artists.
    "Good things are supposed to grow, either slow or fast. The trend of getting a tattoo is getting better and better, especially the quality, the charge design and of course the understanding of this culture have been improve very much," he said.
    In north Asia especially, tattoos were traditionally worn by gangs as a mark of identification and have long had a negative image.
    But now, gang activity is on the decline and even Japanese yakuza, who are known for their intricate, full-body tattoos, don't endorse the tradition as much as in the past in order to avoid being recognized as a member.
    This year's convention also hosted the "Miss Tattoo Asia" finals with 10 shortlisted finalists competing to show who has the best body art.
    Amanda (eds: one name), a Singaporean participant, finished getting her last tattoo just before climbing onto the stage in front of judges and the audience.
    She says the "body modification community" in Singapore is still very small.
    "There are, it's just a different thing you know, there are people who are really into it and there are people who just get one piece and that's it. I believe it doesn't really make tattoos more popular in Singapore, I don't think it popularises it, but I think it brings the quality standard of work available here up. The international artists come in, it broadens the awareness of those who are already interested," she said.
    The judges picked the winners based on the quality of their tattoos, looks and personalities which were determined through a series of questions.
    The convention was also a chance for people to get tattooed by visiting artists with many people booking up to two months in advance. But some were lucky enough to just walk in and get one on the spot.
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