Source: Radio New Zealand
Australian tattoo artists Kyle Pearson and Bobbie Dazzler. ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
“Just walk up and get a tattoo,” that’s the advice the organiser of the Bepanthen New Zealand Tattoo & Art Festival is giving to New Zealanders this weekend.
Between 4000 and 6000 people weer expected to cram into the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth over the weekend for the festival.
Now in its 13th iteration over 15 years, more than 250 tattoo artists – many of them from overseas – will be taking bookings at the festival, while Head Like A Hole tops the music bill and world-class freestyle motocross and BMX riders pull backfilps outside.
Event organiser Brent Taylor said staging the festival during tough economic times was a challenge, but that might work in the favour of people considering getting inked.
“I think with the economy being tighter worldwide tattooing because it’s a luxury item it is harder which means this weekend probably it will be a great chance to get tattooed.
“There’s lots of artists with bookings available and heaps of them are doing just walkups only as well, so you can walkup and get a tattoo on the day. You don’t have to pre-book, you don’t have to do any emailing, none of that. Just walk up and get tattooed.”
He said international names to look out for this year included Grace Neutral, from the United Kingdom – who was famed for her hand-poked tattoos – and United States exponents of black and grey realism – Carlos Torres and Stefano Alcantara.
“Grace just has her needles attached to a little stick and taps them in by hand, so every design is by hand. No machine at all, so that’s kind of a bit different.
“We’ve got a few of those here this weekend and we’ve got the hand-tap of Brent McCown from up north who does everything the traditional Samoan or Māori way of tapping it in as well.”
Taylor was also looking forward to catching up with Auckland artist Steve Butcher, who’d been working out of the States for several years.
Festival organiser Brent Taylor. ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
Australian artist Kyle Pearson – who was returning to the festival – reckoned now was the perfect time to get tattooed.
“Tattooing is not recession proof, but it is one of those things that maybe we won’t be doing larger tattoos but smaller tattoos.
“In a recession lipstick is actually one of the big sellers because it’s a small treat that you can give yourself and tattooing is quite a cheap gift you can give yourself. It’s something you will keep for the rest of your days and take with you.”
Melbourne artist Snow was visiting the festival for the first time.
“I do a lot of dark illustrative, so lots of peppering and sharp lines quite gothically inclined, so yeah, predominantly black and grey tattoo work. There’s a lot of it in Melbourne so it will be interesting to see how much of it will be over here.”
Meanwhile, Taylor said the festival was also great fun for everyone, including those with no tattoos.
“You’ll be fine, you’ll be comfortable as. Everyone has a good time, it has a great vibe and if you are going to get tattooed just make sure you put a bit of thought into what you are going to get if you haven’t got one yet.
“That’s my advice because it’s there for ever, so you’ve got to make sure it’s something you really want, but in terms of coming up we have heaps of people who come along with no tattoos and they have a great time.”
Meanwhile, Kyle Pearson and friends were happy to look after anyone ready to take the leap.
“You can come and see me at booth D10 where my friends Bobbie Dazzler, Ink Snowflake, Paul Rapley and Odey will steer you in the right direction.”
The Bepanthen New Zealand Tattoo & Art Festival runs Saturday from 11am to 10pm, and Sunday 11am to 7pm.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
