AUG 09 -
Nepal’s first National Tattoo Convention saw an overwhelming response from the urban masses. The event, which took place at United World Trade Centre on Saturday, was the first of its kind as 38 tattoo artists from all over the country came together to promote their art.
Drawing inspiration after visiting several international tattoo conventions, Mohan Gurung and Bijay Shrestha decided to initiate this venture in Nepal. After the success of the first convention, they have also expressed the wish to take the event to the international level. “The response has been good and we still expect more. Some were willing to get a tattoo on-the-spot whereas some were scared, but everyone enjoyed,” says Shrestha. He considered the event a success because the artists in each stall were busy with people eagerly waiting for new tattoos to be imprinted on their bodies.
Colin Hendry, from Canada, also agreed with Shrestha’s point, “I have been to several international tattoo conventions before and this is the first time I am having a tattoo on the spot.” He had his own design in mind which he shared with the tattoo artists from the Skin Art Tattoo Studio. Although Hendry is confident about the safety of tattooing here, he still complains that the standard is not yet up to the mark.
It can take hours for artists to complete a tattoo. And when people have their own designs, it often takes a long time to communicate their ideas. “It’s difficult to complete all the work in one day, so people registered their names and booked for tattoos, but many people came for piercing,” says Bibek Rai of Mohan’s Tattoo Inn. According to the stall-keepers, many visitors were concerned about safety and also came to pick up information about designs, care and modification of tattoos. Apart from tattooing, many of them were seen busy piercing their bellies, ears, lips etc., or weaving dreadlocks.
The younger generation represented a majority of the visitors, boys and girls alike. “I pierced my belly and ears today and I have also come for a touch-up on my tattoo,” says Jharna Shilpakar. She says that even her mother is interested in this form of art. She said that this art has long been present in our society and also emphasised the high demand for tattoos of deities such as Ganesh and Bhairav. “My mother is spiritual and she adds to her tattoo every Nag Panchami,” she added.
Nepal’s first National Tattoo Convention saw an overwhelming response from the urban masses. The event, which took place at United World Trade Centre on Saturday, was the first of its kind as 38 tattoo artists from all over the country came together to promote their art.
Drawing inspiration after visiting several international tattoo conventions, Mohan Gurung and Bijay Shrestha decided to initiate this venture in Nepal. After the success of the first convention, they have also expressed the wish to take the event to the international level. “The response has been good and we still expect more. Some were willing to get a tattoo on-the-spot whereas some were scared, but everyone enjoyed,” says Shrestha. He considered the event a success because the artists in each stall were busy with people eagerly waiting for new tattoos to be imprinted on their bodies.
Colin Hendry, from Canada, also agreed with Shrestha’s point, “I have been to several international tattoo conventions before and this is the first time I am having a tattoo on the spot.” He had his own design in mind which he shared with the tattoo artists from the Skin Art Tattoo Studio. Although Hendry is confident about the safety of tattooing here, he still complains that the standard is not yet up to the mark.
It can take hours for artists to complete a tattoo. And when people have their own designs, it often takes a long time to communicate their ideas. “It’s difficult to complete all the work in one day, so people registered their names and booked for tattoos, but many people came for piercing,” says Bibek Rai of Mohan’s Tattoo Inn. According to the stall-keepers, many visitors were concerned about safety and also came to pick up information about designs, care and modification of tattoos. Apart from tattooing, many of them were seen busy piercing their bellies, ears, lips etc., or weaving dreadlocks.
The younger generation represented a majority of the visitors, boys and girls alike. “I pierced my belly and ears today and I have also come for a touch-up on my tattoo,” says Jharna Shilpakar. She says that even her mother is interested in this form of art. She said that this art has long been present in our society and also emphasised the high demand for tattoos of deities such as Ganesh and Bhairav. “My mother is spiritual and she adds to her tattoo every Nag Panchami,” she added.
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