Tattoos and Tassels at the Tobacco Docks
The London Tattoo Convention is so much more than simply an enormous collection of artists banding together to showcase their craft and individual skills, And while this does form a very 'must-see' selection of what this show has to offer, it is by no means the limits to discovery at this event.
The Tattoo Convention offers a wide range of alternate and spectacular stage performances, clothing, accessories and even gluten-free cakes, with the same company selling-out year after year. Which goes to show just what a sweet side this bunch of tattooed party goers really have.
With a good offering of bars and brews, as well as the Voodoo Stage making sure the music also flowed, The London Tattoo Convention is home to daily performances from acts like The Fuel Girls, Pyrohex and Cervena Fox, to mention but a few.
In all honestly, it is the stage shows that primarily attract us to this event, the guys and girls playing with fire (quite literally), hanging from heights in eye-watering poses. The fun and excitement of their daily displays gives the whole Convention a focal point away from watching people get inked. And although those on stage are already covered, the only pain they are wincing from is inflicted by ropes and chains!
You can spend a lengthy time wandering around, trying on the most amazing corsets by Engineers of Desire, buying art and images, clothes and shoes. This little devil was discovered amongst the Psycho Juice on sale, alongside an equally diverse collection of jewellery styles, baby vests and outfits, and weird objets d'art.
Lunch can be bought in the heart of the Dock, with many different choices to cater for all. A good honest cup of coffee can be found dockside, where you can escape the heat for a touch of fresh air.
For real tattoo enthusiasts you will see more selection, more diversity and more original style than in any other collections at events and shows. Artists from all around the world gather to work on willing customers, in front of a fluid crowd of thousands. Cramped conditions, hot lights and heavy spectatorship does not distract from the work in hand, and the art that leaves the building on various shades of skin tone, in a brilliant array of colours, is nothing short of an army of mini-masterpieces.
If you didn't make it this year and want to see what you missed, join us over on Flickr for a sneaky peak at our pictures.