Maiden tattoo festival a hit with Labuanites

Labuan: Proving the popularity of the practice, hundreds of body ink enthusiasts thronged Labuan's maiden tattoo fest – Victoria Tattoo Expo 2018.The two-day expo hosted by the island's bona fide tattoo artist Nelson Winches from Rockstar Tattoo Studio here, featured 27 booths with 50 tattoo artists from the likes of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The fest witnessed a growing number of tattoo lovers from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender or even profession, turning their bodies into canvases for intricate collections of body ink.

One of the upsides of the expo was that it was also a charity event, whereby funds raised would be channelled to Labuan's Autism Centre and the Deaf Association here. Organising committee member David, representing Nelson, disclosed that the inaugural event managed to raise approximately RM4,000.

"Initially, we planned to host a small scale event since it is the first time we will be having this in Labuan and would not know what to expect with the local's response towards it.

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"After we began promoting it, the event blew up and the feedback we received was overwhelming not only from Labuanites but also those from across the country," David shared.

"In today's world, modern Malaysians perceive the function and purpose of tattoos as a form of art, cultural heritage, expression of spirituality, a way to immortalise special memories as well as symbolising self- expression," he added.

David shared that Rockstar Tattoo is focusing on breaking stereotypes, changing the perception of people with tattoos and creating a positive impact for Labuan.

The organisers are now hopeful that this could be an annual affair which could also draw in body ink fanatics to the duty-free island. The expo also drew the support of Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli who described the event as a platform to break taboos surrounding body ink and fostering the long-standing Borneo culture of tattoos.

"I commend the organisers for bringing in something new and fresh to Labuan as well as for working towards expanding this unique form of art in the island," Rozman said when officiating the expo here.

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No longer confined to sailors and criminals, tattoos have pervaded mainstream culture and appear prominently within the society, especially in Borneo as it is part of our culture, he added.

The expo also had a series of programmes lined up throughout the two days including a tattoo contest, traditional tattooing, merchandise and equipment, traditional dance show, mini games and live performances. Among others who also supported the event were Sarawak Body Arts Association, Sabah Tattoo and Body Arts Association, Alliance of Indonesian Tattoo Art and Body Piercing (Indonesian Subculture), Kenaru Enterprise, and the Thailand Tattoo Community. - Iffah Dilaney

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