The Borneo Post (Sabah)

Kuching Internatio­nal Tattoo Expo returns this April

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KUCHING: The second edition of the Kuching Internatio­nal Tattoo Expo will be staged at the Dayak Bidayuh National Associatio­n (DBNA) multipurpo­se hall at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here, this April 5 to 7.

Jointly organised by Skrang Tattoo and Piercing Studio and Inkzation Tattoo Studio, this year’s event will house a total of 45 booths operated by tattoo artists from all over Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippine­s, as well as from India, the Netherland­s and Sweden – with piercing services to be offered by a French artist.

In a press conference held at the Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts meeting room in Bangunan Baitulmakm­ur II here yesterday, deputy minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan voiced out the hope for the expo to be made an annual event, in view of the first edition in 2022 having recorded over 4,000 participan­ts.

“Tattoo is a form of art, and we have about 34 ethnics groups (in Sarawak) with their own distinct tattoo designs.

“Many foreigners these days are interested in having their body inked, with the designs based on the traditiona­l tattoos from Sarawak.”

Adding on, Snowdan pointed out that visitors to the expo would also be treated to various performanc­es such as the traditiona­l ‘panpat’ drums, sape, fire shows, live bands, as well as a showcase by the ‘Bidayuh Ring Ladies’.

Moreover, he said two internatio­nal performing acts would also be featured, namely Tanya from the Netherland­s, and Jamie Clarke of the ‘The Pogues’ from the UK.

The highlight throughout the three-day event would be the tattoo competitio­ns, with the categories divided into ‘Old Skool Tattoo’ (traditiona­l), ‘Small Piece’, ‘Modern Borneo Fusion’, ‘Best of the Day’ (on each day of the expo), ‘Tribal Machine’, ‘Oriental Colour’, ‘Oriental Black-and-Grey’, ‘Traditiona­l Hand-Tapped-Only’, ‘Freestyle’, and ‘Realism’.

Each winner would be presented with a replica of a monkey’s jaw. In the 2022 debut, the winner’s award was in the shape of a monkey’s skull.

There would be stalls offering local handicraft­s, merchandis­e items, as well as local food and beverages. Entrance fee is RM15 per person.

For more informatio­n about the event, search for ‘Kuching Tattoo Expo 2024’ on Facebook.

On a related matter, Snowdan encouraged local nongovernm­ental organisati­ons, clubs and associatio­ns to apply for the ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage Facilitati­on Fund’.

“The state government has provided an annual allocation of RM10 million to support various creative-industry-related programmes, classes, forums, seminars, workshops, courses, activities and competitio­ns,” he said.

Those interested to apply for the fund can contact the ministry’s arts, culture and heritage section chief Dr Elena Gregoria Chai on 016-8881670.

Companies are not eligible for this fund.

 ?? ?? Snowdan points at the traditiona­l tattoos on the back of one of the expo’s organising committee members, during the photo-call segment of the press conference.
Snowdan points at the traditiona­l tattoos on the back of one of the expo’s organising committee members, during the photo-call segment of the press conference.

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