Kathmandu

Buzz of tattoo machines piercing the skin, men and women with insatiable appetite for the ‘pain’, people moving around with unique ink on their bodies, and onlookers enjoying the art of tattooing — International Nepal Tattoo Convention is one event tattoo lovers from across the world love to attend. Now in its sixth edition, the Convention continues to draw a crowd apparently intent upon expressing their love for ink art in one way or the another. On April 1, the 6th International Nepal Tattoo Convention kicked off at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Durbar Marg on a high-note. From the first-timers to the regulars, the first day of the Convention succeeded in drawing significant crowd this year too — though it was halted on its second day in 2015, due to the earthquake.

Fascinated onlookers

In the venue abuzz with tattoo enthusiasts, a middle-aged woman with a tattoo of flower on her nape grabbed the attention. She was 55 years old Dhana Maya Gurung all the way from Deharadun, India.

“I got this tattoo inked from my son. He was learning tattooing some five years ago, and he started it from me,” she expressed pointing to her son Sumu Gurung. The mother-son duo were here “only for the convention because it is fun to see people getting inked”.

For Sumu, 32, it is his second time in the Convention. “I feel like this Convention is a heaven for tattoo artists and tattoo lovers. It is a place where one can see quality tattoo works,” expressed Sumu, who was here as an audience in 2015 as well. “This year it is livelier, I see more tattoo artists,” he added.

Another onlooker fascinated by this Convention was Kiran Karki. An environment researcher by profession, Karki was wandering around the venue in his unique attire made from “natural fabric grown in Nepal”.

“I have always visited this tattoo convention and I love its artistic atmosphere,” shared Karki, who doesn’t own any tattoo though. And it is not the pain of tattooing that has prevented him from getting one. “I have realised people just don’t get tattoos meaninglessly — tattoos have certain meaning associated with people who carry them. It’s just that I have not found mine meaningful tattoo yet. I will certainly get tattooed when I find it,” he argued.

Getting inked

For Diwash Karki, tattoo however, doesn’t have any meaning. “It is just an art form for me,” said Diwash, who was lying comfortably on a sofa at the booth Ra-Zone. And tattoo artist Rajan Maharjan was inking an angel on his left thigh.

“I have always loved Rajan’s art and this is the second time I am getting tattooed by him,” revealed Diwash, who already has a full back tattoo done by Maharjan — his back has images of wolf, lion and tiger.

But if these tattoos do not have any meaning, why does he get them? He stated, “When I looked at Rajan’s art, I felt that I should preserve his work by inking them on my body.”

Together for body art

People’s love for ink was evident not only in clients like Diwash, but in the real heroes of the Convention — the tattoo artists too. Hailing from different parts of the globe, these artists were together for the body art. One of them was Meerak Meinohg from Berlin, Germany. Meinohg, who specialises in line art, graphic realism, surrealism and minimal style, was happily getting his booth set on April 1.

Meinohg, who had always wanted to visit Nepal, got the opportunity with this Convention. “Being here is great. I am able to meet nice people,” opined the artist who is impressed with the organisers because, “the management has done a great job despite Nepal facing the problems of fuel crisis and earthquake.”

Another first timer of the Convention is Maharjan. “I am here to show my art to different people. I can get to know how tattoo artists from different parts of the world work, and I can also create a network.”

Ample choices

Along with Meinohg and Maharjan, a total of 160 tattoo artists with specialisation in various tattoo

genres — traditional Chinese, Japanese, oriental or geometric pattern and more are participating in the three-day Convention.

David Pollen, an American tattooist working in China is one of them. He is in the Convention with his traditional tattoos. One can get a glimpse of his works in the flash tattoos — tattoo design printed or drawn on paper — displayed at his booth. Pollen has designs of bold and bright coloured tattoos. “People do not get visa to China easily. As Nepal is closer to China, I feel the Convention is the best opportunity for me to show my skills to many people,” he explained his reasons for participating in this Convention.

Then there was tattoo artist Mark Lonsdale from Australia. “I am fascinated with wolves, eagle and snakes. I feel that people here too might be interested in such patterns,” he elaborated about his works.

If you are looking to ink the fusion of oriental and western works, then visit the booth of Mathew Wojciechowski from America. For Wojciechowski, tattooing is a kind of cross cultural art. And you can get one such work from this artist who is inspired by “powerful Asian designs”.

Along with the buzz of tattoo machines, a live performance by Hari Maharjan Project was there to entertain the audience. A blend of Gypsy Jazz with Eastern Flairs Band — the fusion of guitar, flute and tabala enhanced the entertainment quotient at the Convention.

“We are trying to make the festival more entertaining and lively so that people can enjoy it,” shared Bijay Shrestha, Director of International Nepal Tattoo Convention.

Stalls on tattoo gizmos, handicrafts and food courts were other highlights of the Convention.

Along with tattoo works, there will be a static body suspension by Alex and Indigenak Modification Industries (Spain), traditional dances by Vajra Kala Kunja (Nepal) and live performance by Saksham Band (Nepal) on April 2.

The event by Nepal Tattoo Pvt Ltd is organised by Mohan’s Tattoo Inn and mu’az Entertainment and promoted by Nepal Tourism Board. The Himalayan Times is the official print media partner.