All that is hot and hip about urban street culture will be on show at New Zealand’s International Tattoo and Art Expo in February 2012, including the world’s best body painters, tattoo and graffiti artists, along with skateboarding and Mixed Marshall Arts (MMA) competitions, musicians and tattoo enthusiasts Tiki Taane and I Am Giant, and a chance to see Roller Derby live in action.

After the success of the 2011 Expo at Claudelands, which was attended by thousands, 2012 is looking even more exciting. Tattoo artists from the USA, Norway, England, Russia, Japan, China, South Africa and Australia, as well as some of the best tattoo artists from New Zealand, will be exhibiting at the show and offering the chance for kiwis to be tattooed by some of the world’s most sought-after tattooists. 

Other not to be missed events at the weekend long Expo will be the Miss Tattoo competition, featuring judges Jolene Tempest (Miss Tattoo NZ Winner 2011), New York Editor Tony Romel, as well as pin up model and burlesque beauty Venus Starr.

Event organiser of the International Tattoo and Art Expo Chris Preece said the Expo showcases some of the best local and international tattoo talent, as well as brings the exciting world of urban street culture under one roof.

“This is one of those rare chances for the public to experience some of the best tattooing talent there is, and see why urban street culture has taken the world by storm,” Mr Preece said. “Many of the exhibiting tattoo artists are booked out for months in advance internationally, so it’s also a golden opportunity to be tattooed by some of the best around.”