Roll up your sleeves and prepare to get inked – over 250 international and local tattooists and body artists are converging on Sydney International Convention Centre for the Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival. After testing the waters in Melbourne, the smash-hit festival migrated north a few years back and the masses responded with open, inked-up arms.
For 2018, Rites of Passage will showcase Japanese-style tattoo designs – if you've ever wanted to have style inked on yourself this is the perfect chance to find out more. The line-up will include traditional tebori artists as well as award-winning tattooists like Stu Pagdin and Sydney's own Kian "Horisumi" Forreal from Authentink Studio. The line-up has a mix of local, interstate and international artists (from as far afield as Japan and Iran), with everything from dot and linework to neo-traditional covered.
Hosted by Chasing Ghosts frontman Jimmy Kyle, the festival will have everything from daily tattoo comps to live entertainment. Watch live art created right before your eyes by the amazing Steen Jones, catch a seminar or see circus performers awe the crowds – the festival is even bringing in renowned contortionist Shun Sugimoto.
Rites of Passage is all about celebrating the creativity and diversity of the body art community, so whether you're interested in subtle linework or a full suit of ink, there'll be an artist present whose style suits yours. There'll be live tattooing throughout the weekend – so if you've been thinking of investing in a piece-for-life (and dig the idea of an audience there to witness it) this is your chance.
Serious tattoo fans won't want to miss Rhys Gordon's seminar on the history of tattooing in Australia and Kian Forreal's seminar on traditional Japanese tattooing.
If you want to get inked on the day make sure you visit the festival website and register your interest. Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival is on from Friday, October 5 to Sunday, October 7 and tickets can be booked online now.