The Fifth London International Tattoo Convention at Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, Wapping, London E1W 2SF, on September 25/26/27, promises to be even bigger, better, and more diverse than 2008’s hugely successful, recession-defying, tumultuous, colourful event.
Established in 2005, The London International Tattoo Convention, organised by the global Tattoo Life publication, has attracted huge amounts of media coverage worldwide over the last four years and become the Number One Alternative Event Of The Year in London, let alone one of the most crowded and important conventions in Europe.
Having outgrown its original Old Truman Brewery location, The Tattoo Convention relocated in 2008 to a much bigger site at Tobacco Dock, a completely renovated hidden treasure of beautiful Victorian architecture, built in 1812 to store and market tobacco imported from the East, just a few minutes from Tower Bridge.
Having been increasingly crammed into the Old Truman Brewery, visitors were delighted to discover that there was now ample room for all the artists to work, more than enough space for suppliers to display their products, and a perfect location for all the additional shows, catering and entertainment provided at Tobacco Dock.
More than 20,000 thronged Tobacco Dock last year and even more tattoo aficionados are expected to attend what has become THE Number One Alternative Event Of The Year in London, in 2009.
Over 200 of the world’s most famous tattooists will be practising their art in public, including such UK luminaries as London Ink’s Nicole Low, Alex Binnie from Into You and Lal Hardy of New Wave. Numerous international stars will have flown in from all corners of the globe, including, (to name but a few) Filip Leu and Shige who will represent the best of the Japanese style, Boog and Jose Lopez the Chicano style and Robert Hernandez the realistic-cinema-like style; every different style known worldwide will, in fact, be on offer (and on parade!).
There will be a huge amount of complementary entertainment and visual experiences to enjoy, including various exhibitions, artistic events, live rock bands, seductive Burlesque performers from round the world and numerous dark, jaw-dropping, alternative dances and sideshows, let alone a wide range of traditional East End themed bars, restaurants and food stalls.
The massive, spectacular underground vault floor, with extensive sprawling nooks and crannies, hosts a fetish market, a varied and vibrant alternative market place, coffee shops and other chill out zones with bars licensed until 1.00am. The ‘Vince Ray Rock’n’Roll Voodoo Crypt’, hosted by the man himself, will once again have a nightclub vibe created by none other than Torture Garden, who provide numerous dark, alternative sideshows and entertainment.
(In)Famous model Vikki Blows, the star of the 2010 Tattoo Energy Calendar, who combines punk and fashion in a disrespectful and nonconformist style and is considered the ‘enfant terrible’ of the fashion world, will be signing copies of The Tattoo Energy 2010 Calendar all weekend.
The ‘kick ass, ultra sexy, fire breathing’ Fuel Girls’ rock’n’roll dance and stunt show is bound to be a highlight each day at the Tattoo Convention. Their crazy no-holds barred attitude has already won over a legion of fans, not least Motorhead, who took them out on tour with them across the UK last November. Their recent Playboy TV show was one of the most popular in the UK.
For more Info: The official Fuel Girls Website - High octane, nitro powered chicks that rock!
The Tara Art Project is a collection of original works made by various tattoo artists all over the world which represent the typical icons and symbols of the Tibetan culture and religion filtered through the sensitivity of each artist and the beauty of tattoo art. The promoter of the initial project was Graham Martin who asked Thou Art and Jondix of LTW to create a series of works on this subject to collect in a book to raise money to help raise the awareness of the general public on the violation of human and cultural rights in Tibet and the progressive destruction of the traditional Tibetan culture. Tibetan art is often mentioned by many artists as being their source of inspiration for many of their pieces and there is great interest in its rediscovery and evolution.
The list of prestigious artists who stepped up to the challenge is:
- Phil Kyle,
- JFK,
- Alex Binnie,
- Claire Reid,
- Jondix,
- Javi Castano,
- Luca Ortis,
- Mike Young,
- Oliver Jerrold,
- Patrick Huttlinger,
- Horiren,
- Paul Naylor,
- Rico,
- Helen Brown,
- Steve Whittinberger,
- Kevin Le Blanc,
- Jarno Kantanen,
- Jason D'Leisge,
- Chris Dettmer,
- Ami the Bearded Lady,
- Tomas (Into You),
- Joe McEndree,
- Matthew Amey,
- Suzi Q,
- George Bardadim,
- Cody Meyer,
- Tacho,
- Jamie Ruth,
- Becca Marsh,
- The Boy,
- Dawnii Sayers,
- Rinzing.
For more info: The Tara Art Project | MySpace
Sexy, provocative, elegantly retro burlesque model / artist Luna Rosa will enthrall with her exotic mystery, all performed alongside an alluring soundtrack of 50’s blues and rock and roll, recalling the golden years of burlesque.
For more info: Luna Rosa (Luna Rosa) | MySpace
Brazilian Calu C. Fur, who is also a tattooist, will perform her “Return of Calu’s Peepshow”, a breathtaking, nonconformist, energy packed burlesque show, at the Convention. Calu, who has modeled for the likes of Fosters Lager and Sussy Sportswear, is a real entertainer with an alternative elegance who loves to give her shows a provocative edge.
For more info: MySpace - Calu's Peepshow! - 34 - Female - LONDON, London and South East - myspace.com/dollsquadburlesque
Famous femme fatal Scarlett Daggers will enthrall the audience with her sexy show, combining burlesque, striptease, theater and pop art, effortlessly dragging the audience into her dark, ironic world.
For more info: Scarlett Daggers
The anthropological / historical Oxford British Tattoo History Museum, hosted by founder/ creator Lionel Tichner, features various machines, flash (tattoo designs) and tools used over the ages and early documents and photographs. Visitors are taken on a journey through the tattoo styles and techniques of different populations, cultures and traditions, searching for the deep religious, psychological and ritual meanings of tattoo art.
The Tattooed, pierced, goth, punk and alternative Suicide Girls will be there to promote their website,
Beautiful naked punk rock, goth and emo girls with tattoos and piercings - SuicideGirls, which has rapidly developed a massive real virtual community, able to spread and promote the ideas of new alternative beauty standards which they are forcing the fashion world to come to accept. The Suicide Girls are not afraid of showing their beauty in an intriguing, shocking and sensual way.
For more info: Beautiful naked punk rock, goth and emo girls with tattoos and piercings - SuicideGirls
Sabina Kelly, the sexy, sensual pin-up model who has become a regular at the Convention, will be the special guest presenter at all the tattoo contests and award ceremonies.
For more info: Sabina Kelley official pin-up - Burlesque model international website
The biggest show of all, however, (and we will never get tired of repeating this) will once again be that offered by the visitors themselves, who become the lead characters when they compete in the tattoo contests for different categories, such as Best Tribal, Best Backpiece, Best Black & Grey, Best Colours and Best of Show.
For more info check
The International London Tattoo Convention - Home from which tickets are available, priced at £20 per day or £50 for a three day pass.
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5th London International Tattoo Convention Sept. 25/6/7 @ Tobacco Dock
Re: 5th London International Tattoo Convention Sept. 25/6/7 @ Tobacco Dock
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