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Florence Tattoo Convention by Flickr, May 24, 2013

London Tattoo Convention by Nicoli Maege February 20, 2014

Tattoo Conventions

Tattoo conventions have been around since 1976, they are a unique way to exhibit tattoos and bring artists and customers together from around the world. What started as an idea to bring together like-minded people now has events worldwide ranging from small conventions to large ones.

History

The first convention was held in Houston, Texas on January 24^TH AND 25^TH by the president of the North American Tattoo Club Dave Yurkew. It was a forum for those in the industry to communicate with each other and bring them together. Other tattoo associations began running their events, with The National Tattoo Association beginning a rivalry with the NATC afterward. Over time the reasoning behind conventions has drifted away from their original purposes, becoming more commercial, a way of advertising or selling merchandise or their services to the public.

Structure

Conventions of multiple sizes happen year-round worldwide, ranging from exclusive small events in bars or nightclubs to the largest held at hotels and convention centers. Commonly shared between the events is a commercial aspect where artists and vendors set up booths selling products advertising services or booking appointments. There is the competition aspect where artists or their customers can enter their tattoos to be judged by a panel of people with prizes and awards. The final aspect is the social side, where people can meet with like-minded peers and network.

Tattoo Practices

There is much work to be done with tattoos and the creation of art, from the machine to the creation of design. The needles need to deposit ink 1.5-2mm beneath the epidermis, puncturing the skin around 100 times a second. " According to a recent study by Pew Research Center, 32% of Americans have a tattoo, and 22% of Americans have more than one." The Popularity of the art of tattooing has come and gone in waves more often than not in sync with major world events. Earlier modern tattoos were closer to folk art, with most work being pre-made designs that the client chose from rather than more personal design work. Today though most work is custom, being drawn with iPads or on paper to become a stencil, with ink quality and color choice also becoming greater. The Industry is mostly self-regulated with no certifications needed

Subculture To Mainstream Tattoo History

In a global survey, tattoos steam across Asia, Africa, The Middle East, The Oceanic Islands, the U.S., Australia, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. Tattooing has been embedded globally as a historical and modern-day bodily practice. In modern times tattoos exist in nearly every spectrum of person. Tattoos are their most popular now, with worldwide reach and people who carry the art on their bodies. It has been around for most of history as a primal form of art. Dating back to 3250 BCE, It along with scarification and branding are some of the oldest body modification practices. Often symbolic in nature and with great purpose tattoos were more than decoration. Through research, it has been confirmed that ancient tattoos are significant in communication as a form of visual language. It was a sign of status, identity, and magical power and was even used as a form of therapy. Hindus believed that tattoos were a way to identify others in the afterlife. The representation of tattoos as both group membership and individuality is a central point of the explorations of the development and cultural rise of tattooing. The "rediscovery" of tattoos during the voyages is considered an overstatement of the rise of the practice in the West while it is certainly a factor. In the 18th century, tattoos were introduced to sailors. As sailors returned with tattoos to Europe and America it began seeping into the mainstream. In the "Carnival Era" (1880s-1920s) many former sailors with tattoos found work with circuses and carnivals and traveled the country creating a demand for professional tattoo artists in new places. The tattoo machine was invented by Samuel O'reily in 1891. Henry Mayhew identified tattooing as a middle-class activity in his study of behavior patterns in the labor force of the British. Young men were proud of their art and had pride in bearing the pain without flinching. Around the world, tattoos have become synonymous with working-class life and culture. Most tattoo parlors were in impoverished areas and those with higher crime rates. American traditional tattoos were developed, and tattoos were considered a part of rebelling against social and cultural norms. They were associated with gangs, bikers, and punks; those who fought against the standard set by society. Now modern-day, tattoos have slowly become socially acceptable.

Scottish Tattoo Convention

Geograph project collection by Thomas Nugent

Scottish Tattoo Convention celebrates there 10 years after 3 years due to the pandemic. The convention is run by Jim Aitken from Main Street Tattoos. A famous attendee from the Guinness World Record holder for the most medications and the most extreme modifications named Elaine Davidson. Many have worn black clothes as there was no dress code. The convention was filled with many bands playing music as the conventions and tattoo artists have thrived strong even after the pandemic. More than 200 vendors attended to sell products and their work. After COVID and the difficulties that followed business has made a comeback stronger than ever.

List of Conventions

1. South Florida International Tattoo Expo, 2011
2. Scottish Tattoo Convention, 2023
3. Locked Up Tattoo Convention, 2023
4. Windy City Tattoo Convention, 2018
5. Massachusetts Tattoo Convention, 2016
   

References

1. DeMello, Margo, and Gayle S. Rubin. Bodies of Inscription: A Cultural History of the Modern Tattoo Community, Duke University Press, 2000. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://www.proquest.com/legacydocview/EBC/3007817?accountid=12902.
2. Men, with Beards and Skull Tattoos, Who Like Motorcycles, but also Much, Much More." The Scotsman, Mar 29, 2023, pp. 30. ProQuest, https://eznvcc.vccs.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/edinburghs-other-tattoo-black-mark-im-only-person/docview/2791738750/se-2.
3. Jo, and Klimovich H. Anne. "Body Art: Meeting of the Marked Tattoo Convention Inks Three Decades of Skin Design." TCA Regional News, Sep 08, 2023. ProQuest,https://eznvcc.vccs.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/body-art-meeting-marked-tattoo-convention-inks/docview/2862589581/se-2.
4. Barron, Lee. Tattoos and Popular Culture: Cultural Representations in Ink, Emerald Publishing Limited, 2020. ProQuest Ebook Central,https://www.proquest.com/legacydocview/EBC/6373753?accountid=12902.
5. Sallie James, Staff W. "ARTISTS THINK INK AT TATTOO EXPO TATTOO CONVENTION DRAWS IN, AND ON, CURIOUS CROWDS IN CORAL SPRINGS.: [BROWARD METRO EDITION]." South Florida Sun - Sentinel, Aug 11, 2001, pp. 1B. ProQuest, https://eznvcc.vccs.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/artists-think-ink-at-tattoo-expo-convention-draws/docview/388085054/se-2.
6. Williams, Richard. "Tattoo Convention has Latest Designs Locked Up at Prison: Holding Exhibition in Former Town Jail was 'really Cool'." Shropshire Star, Oct 10, 2023, pp. 13. ProQuest, https://eznvcc.vccs.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/tattoo-convention-has-latest-designs-locked-up-at/docview/2874703048/se-2.
7. Bobinec, Greg. "Tattoo Convention Leaves its Mark; Windy City Tattoo Convention Continues to Grow each Year." The Lethbridge Herald, Sep 16, 2018. ProQuest, https://eznvcc.vccs.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/tattoo-convention-leaves-mark-windy-city/docview/2104660223/se-2.
8. Duckett, Richard. "Tattoo Advice: 'Think before You Ink': Massachusetts Tattoo Convention Brings 150+ Artists to DCU." Telegram & Gazette, Sep 04, 2016. ProQuest, https://eznvcc.vccs.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/tattoo-advice-think-before-you-ink/docview/1816428049/se-2.