GET READY TO TAT UP, DELHI!
Whether you have a thing for getting inked or want to know more about the art, the Heartwork Tattoo festival has something for everyone this year.
Tattooing as an art form has existed in India since 200 BCE, but it became a trend only in the past decade. Initially only limited to design and markings, tattooing is more about visual storytelling now.
A major force behind this has been the Heartwork Tattoo Festival — an annual tattoo and lifestyle festival started by like-minded tattoo artists who wanted to create a platform for revolutionising the Indian tattoo industry.
Back with its third edition, the three-day festival this year is set to host over 150 Indian and 50 International artists who will be tattooing live at the venue. The festival will also host body art workshops and seminars, along with a live tattoo contest.
“We started the festival three years ago with the aim of educating Indian people about tattoos and to bust the myths around this industry. We’ve been able to clear up a lot of misconceptions people have, and there’s been tremendous growth in the number of people getting tattooed. I hope to see more tattoo enthusiasts this year,” says awardwinning tattoo artist Lokesh Verma, also the organiser for the fest.
Just like every year, the festival will have tattoo artists and legends such as Jeff Gogue (USA), Tommy Lee Wendter (Germany), Phatt German (UK), Steve Butcher (New Zealand), Yomico Moreno (USA), Bez666 (UK) and more. The festival will also have a dedicated entertainment and outdoor activity area for urban sports such as BMX, freestyling and skating. One can also gorge on delicious offerings at curated food stalls and a beer garden.
A flea market will be perfect for those who love to shop while waiting to get tattooed, and performances and games will keep others busy.
The tattoo extravaganza has Delhiites excited, too. Akaash Raj Narang, a fine arts student feels that it is the perfect opportunity to get inked by some of the best names in the industry, and at the same time, a great chance to learn more about tattooing as an art. “I am a fine arts student and work mostly with inks rather than conventional mediums. Tattooing, too, uses inks and I feel that somewhere, I can learn a thing or two from the fest. I also wanted to get inked by Bez666 because he’s just a master at what he does. You’d definitely find me at the fest on all three days,” he says.
Save your dates, for this is not to be missed.
We started the festival with the aim of educating Indian people about tattoos and to bust the myths around this industry
LOKESH VERMA, TATTOO ARTIST AND ORGANISER