Hi Manuela. Can you give the uninformed among us a quick rundown on what the Cape Tattoo Expo entails?
It’s an event at the City Hall showcasing tattooing in South Africa as well as the world. The public can watch the process of tattooing like live performance art.
You’re a tattoo artist yourself – how (and why) did you get into the organising side of things?
Because I travel to tattoo expos all over the world and wanted to bring that back home.
I wanted to promote and elevate our industry to its rightful place. And educate the public about the incredible artistry that is tattooing today.
This is already the 6th annual Cape Tattoo Expo – how have things changed and evolved since the exhibition’s inception?
Definitely the public “get” it more now than six years ago, thanks to all the reality tattoo programmes. We have a dedicated core of tattoo enthusiasts and collectors who arrive each year to participate in the event .
A great line-up of bands for our after-parties and the art exhibition has evolved to an event in its own right.
If you look at the number of people sporting tattoos these days, it’s probably a safe assumption that the stereotype of tattoos being “evil” and for lowlifes is fading as it becomes more generally accepted in society. Do you agree, and do you reckon that tattooing is sufficiently acknowledged as an art form?
Yeah, the old stereotypes are definitely fading away – although tattoos still remain quite a controversial topic, with everyone always having an opinion … good or bad!
I don't think it is sufficiently acknowledged as an art form in South Africa particularly – although I have been working hard on changing people’s perceptions. The main reason that I can think of is that there is no resale value of our art work on skin, and therefore it cannot generate the prices that other fine art does, so the value and credibility of a tattooer compared with that of a fine-artist is stunted.
Which local and international names can those inked and wanting to get (more) inked look out for? Do potential customers have to make an appointment beforehand, or are the tattoos planned and done on an ad hoc basis?
All the big names on the South African tattoo scene, as well as some top international artists, like Jeremy Justice from the States, Laura Fiorini from Italy, Patrick MacFarlane from England, Psycho Patt from Belgium and Tomas Buglioni from Italy. To avoid disappointment it is best to try to contact the artists on their websites, otherwise most are available on the day.
Is there a current “trend” as far as tattoos or tattoo styles are concerned? Do you see much fluctuation in the types of tattoos people want to get?
The most popular style at the moment is the traditional style (sailor tattoos, anchors, etc). But it does vary – from Japanese bodysuits to writing!
Who are your personal favourite local and international artists at the moment?
I am incredibly biased, as they work with me, but Rico Swanepoel and Raoul Goetze locally, and internationally it’s Justin Hartman, Shige and Thomas Hooper.
Click here for more info on the 6th Cape Tattoo Expo and its side-events.
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