Norwich hosts first tattoo festival
The buzz of the tattooists’ needle will echo through the unlikely medieval surroundings of St Andrew’s Hall this weekend as Norwich hosts its first international festival dedicated to body art.
Tattoo artists and body art enthusiasts from across the country – and throughout the world – are expected to attend to marvel at inked creations and piercings through the most unlikely of body parts. Some may even be tempted to go under the needle themselves.
One of the star attractions will be Borneo’s Jeremy Lo who will be using traditional tattoo techniques – using two bamboo sticks and a high degree of precision while another person stretches the skin.
Mik Oliver, 41, a local tattoo artist at Styx studio on St Augustine’s Street, travelled to Borneo to have Jeremy give him a traditional dragon tattoo on his throat and neck.
“I had it done on my throat and side of my face,” he said. “I found it more relaxing than if I’d have had a machine one. The whole process is quite rhythmic and puts you in a bit of a trance with all the rhythmic tapping.”
Other international artists displaying their inky creations will be Julia Seizure, a well lauded artist from Star Crossed Tattoos, Hong Kong; Joe Wang from 8 Volts Tattoo in Singapore; and Eric Michalovic, who has travelled all the way from Devine, South Carolina in the US to attend.
But as well as tattoos, the event, which has been organised by local entertainment and preview guide Outline Magazine and Indigo Tattoo Studio, Lower Goat Lane, Norwich will also offer all manner of body modifications, piercings and other adornments that’ll make you stand out from the crowd.
Organisers are hoping the two day event, which takes place at St Andrew’s Hall on Saturday and Sunday, will make such a mark on the city that it will become a permanent fixture.
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