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The London Tattoo Convention ‘09

The London Tattoo convention fell once again on September 27th- 29th, and with crowds exceeding 20,000 and over 200 artists from around the Globe, marked England’s largest tattoo convention.
As with 2008, the convention was held at the expansive Tobacco Docks in East London, a split level complex divided between studio stalls and retail. The ground floor hosted stalls from companies such as Toxico, Wildcat and Sacred Stitches, where visitors could shop for tattoo inspired clothing and jewellery, as well as retro dresses, kitsch handbags and home ware.
The tattoo artists and studio stalls were situated on the upper level, where artists could display their portfolios, sell artwork and prints and take bookings to tattoo on site throughout the weekend.

As well as wandering round the upper levels to watch the live tattooing, the event is a great opportunity to sit at one of its many in or outdoor bars and people watch, with an array of unusual characters keen to show off their modifications.

In addition to tattoo stalls and clothing, the convention also provided a wide range of entertainment, from the Voodoo Lounge Bar with The Voodoo Crypt stage. The stage hosted live music interspersed with performances from model Esme, and ‘Cabaret Freakshow Queen of Alternative performance’ Vivid Angel, to performances from The Fuel Girls, modelling latex by the designer Jane Doe. If the thought of three days of people watching seems a little intense, entertainment was also provided in the form of a variety of burlesque performances (tasselled and thonged girls balancing precariously over a bath of shattered glass) and live graffiti from the Graffiti Kings.

The Convention opened its doors on the Friday, annually the quietest day of the convention. Though it may not have the same atmosphere as the Saturday, it’s worth coming down early to have a relaxed exploration of the venue, whilst you can see all the stalls, talk to the artists and see the work.
Saturday by comparison is the busiest day, and arriving early to avoid the queues is recommended. Moving through the crowds was at times a struggle but the atmosphere lively. Award ceremonies ran throughout the day on the main stage, with artists displaying their finest work in an attempt to pick up a prize for the best ink.

I spent most of my time sat outdoors by the dock making the most of the bar and the bright sunshine or wandering through the crowds taking in the tattoos and looking out for eye catching artwork. Friday was a relaxed day to enjoy the surroundings, and by Saturday night I was exhausted from the high energy of the day. I did return on the Sunday, but experienced little that I hadn’t in the first few days.

The Convention is not only a great place for those with an interest in body modification, but also a fantastic opportunity for creative types to see great artwork and pick up a reasonably priced print, with many artists not only selling flash, but also limited edition screen printed clothing, ink drawings and canvases.
Don’t be put off if you aren’t tattooed yourself- the convention is open to all, and caters for pro’s and tattoo virgins alike. However, if you aren’t a diehard fan, then it may be recommended to avoid all three days, as even the keenest enthusiast could have soaked in the sights and be saturated by Saturday night.

The convention will be running next year at the same time, and tickets can usually be purchased a month or so in advance. If you can’t wait that long, the Brighton Convention is hosted in February, and tickets can be booked in the new year…