Brighton Tattoo Convention

Brighton Race Course found itself with a very diverse bar full of attendees on Saturday and Sunday as an abundance of ink covered guys and dolls descended on the city for this annual event. The tattoo convention features:

170 of the best artists from the UK and Europe’s finest tattoo studios are joined by guests from the States for the opening Convention of the year….

and was rammed with all walks of life from Hells Angels, a Debbie Harry lookalike and some extremely cute kids clutching on to their colourful parents.

I was representing tattoofashion.com, that safe place between the burning desire for the pain and the ink and regret of having your latest love scrawled across your neck forever, but at some point requiring the change of Steve to Eve…They offer a huge range of tattoos from traditional to celebrity so if you really want to finish off that perfect Amy Winehouse fancy dress outfit, this is the place to check it out.

The atmosphere was electric and felt like it could kick off at any point. It was not aggressive but very hyper, I didn’t stick around for the evenings entertainment, thrash metal has never really been my thing but there certainly seemed to be alot to keep the hardcore tattoo fans entertained, everyone comparing some beautiful, some tragic artwork on their skin. The big issue was that this was a winter event so that most people’s skin remained well covered – however some Spearmint Rhino ladies, clearly quite used to the cold, did not mind the exposure in favour for some compliments on their tattoos. (I spotted a sad, lonely hair extension on the floor of the ladies that I think may have escaped one of them too). Wondering around the artists area was where it all happened and was a voyeurs dream and sounded like 1000 dentist drills where going at once! To see the work in action was at times breathtaking, this is an amazing art with some beautiful pieces created, some artists had been booked up for months.

The Sailor Jerry style was flowing throughout, some of the girls looked incredibly sexy, bright vibrant colours splashed across their skin with birds, flowers, carp and stars shining through as a strong theme. Watching one lad get the whole of the top of his thigh covered was compelling viewing, his hand was shaking, knuckles white I didn’t stay long enough to see if the pain got the better of him but his mum would have been proud I am sure! It was a great day out for Brighton, on days like this there are only so many times one can go bowling or to the Sealife centre (or wallow in bed from Friday’s debauchery) but confirmed for me to remain ink free… for the moment.

Photos by Mary Rhiannon Pryce