Tats the way it goes... The Big North Tattoo Show
ARTISTS FROM OVER THE WORLD TO GATHER IN THE METRO ARENA BY BARBARA HODGSON
TATTOO artists from around the world have designs on Newcastle this April as the city gets ready to host its biggest ever tattoo convention.
When The Big North Tattoo Show opens at Metro Radio Arena, it will be bringing an international focus on what is now a hugely popular art form in the region.
And with Newcastle boasting its fair share of tattoo parlours, local artists will be showcasing their talents alongside the best of them.
A launch ahead of the show took place on Wednesday at Red’s restaurant in Eldon Square, with organisers Martin McIver and Perry Rule travelling up from London to spread the word.
Perry, from Norwich, is editor of the UK’s biggest trade magazine Total Tattoo which is hosting the show with Tattoo TV.
He and Martin, who lives in Ireland, have held similar conventions around the country but this marks a first – and a biggest – for Newcastle.
“We thought it was about time Newcastle had a show like London or Manchester,” said Martin. “For some reason this area was always kind of missed out. Now some of the best tattoo artists from around the world will be coming.”
Perry added: “The Arena is the biggest space in Newcastle and it will have just under 300 tattoo artists including the best in the UK and in Newcastle.”
The Big North Tattoo Show will take place on April 29 and 30 and visitors will be able to come and shop around for a new tattoo design, and have it done there and then, or just admire the artists’ colourful work.
There will be plenty family attractions too, including juggling, while a quirky addition for grown-ups will be a beard competition. Tattoos have shaken off their traditional image and the hope behind the event is that visitors will see them in a new light. Fellow show organiser, Ashington-born Lizzy Guy, said tattooing is big in the region and this is a chance to show off the artistry involved. Among the local tattoo artists who can’t wait to take part is Kayley Henderson, who is married to a fellow tattoo artist and works at city centre-based Northside Tattooz. The 37 year old, who studied art and then learned her trade through an apprenticeship, said: “It’s really exciting. “We’ve got such an amazing tattoo scene up here and it will be really cool to get people talking about it. “There’s a lot of demand for tattoos in Newcastle – people have got good taste!” Lizzy, who specialises in colour realism, added: “There’s so much more that can be done with tattoos than many people realise. “Even if you have any interest at all it will be worth a look – even my mam is coming!”