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Venturing into one of the many subcultures
By Mandy Liew
Deriving from the Polynesian word tatau, the English language loaned this word and eventually the spelling was changed to fit the pronunciation of the English phonology, to tattoo. Tattoos have very different reactions on different people. Some outright frown upon it and some are avid collectors of them. Especially in recent times, it has been more and more well received by the general public compared to a couple of years ago. It is not for no reason that some people have distasted tattoos. Due to religion or historical reasons, tattoos can be a negative reminder of the things that happened to people. And in some countries, tattoos are used as a marking of identification to a certain gang, and that naturally result in the general public having a biased opinion on tattoos. Despite certain social group still bearing a stigma against tattoos, there is an uprising trend in young adults to be sporting tattoos, and even so in women. With an increase in women sporting tattoos, the negative perceptions appear to be changing. Television shows like Miami Ink and London Ink are being broadcast and a positive light is being portrayed for tattoos, as it shows the public that while tattoos can stand for something bad, not all tattoos are necessarily for the wrong reasons. Other than through television shows, another way to get more exposed to the circle of tattooed people or to get an insight of such subculture is to go to tattoo conventions to have a look at how this art is being done. People often have the misconception that tattoo conventions are only for people who like tattoos or sport a few themselves. While it is true that tattoo conventions usually are more for people in the same trade to meet and learn more things about the industry and it tends to draw crowds that are tattoo enthusiastic, at the same time it is an opportunity for people who are curious or intrigued by such interests to know and understand more about it. It is often almost educational to visit tattoo conventions, as it opens your mind to what a certain group of people perceive as beauty. Some may never understand what is it that makes people get heavily tattooed, but it is refreshing to see things from a different point of view. It is no surprise for someone to have at least one tattoo on their body nowadays, and that is normally not an issue to most people. What could be the social hurdle for some are those that take their interest to an extreme level by being heavily covered in tattoos. While it is an acquired liking for such beauty, and more and more people are sporting such extremity in this field of interest, not everyone is comfortable with it. Bear in mind that if you were to go to a tattoo convention, you are bound to meet quite a handful of such people. It is perfectly normal for some to be uncomfortable among heavily tattooed people, as it is only normal to be afraid or dislike things that are of the unknown for some. All we need is a little education on this subculture that has been wrongly portrayed in the public. Being in an Asian country myself and having a strong liking in this particular field of interest does not exactly go well together. It is true that more and more people are sporting tattoos, but tradition is still very strongly rooted in Asian countries such as the one I’m staying in, Singapore. For someone sporting many tattoos are usually deemed as a wayward child in traditional Chinese families, as most gangs in the past have to sport a tattoo at least to represent the gang they are in, and this is perceived as a sign of rebellion, not as a modification by choice. Despite Asian traditions, Singapore had her first tattoo convention last year that was organized by Kirby Lian and Debra Tan, and it was very well received. That is good news for Singapore as the show aims to showcase the different kinds of tattoo methods, to bring together artists both from the East and the West and have an opportunity to get together, and at the same time to drill in the knowledge of responsible tattooing, which not a lot of teenagers understand and that can lead to regrets which are unnecessary. At the same time people in Singapore get to have a chance to be tattooed by their favourite artists from overseas. Having done well from the first show, there will be an upcoming show on the 8th, 9th and 10th of January 2010, at Singapore Expo, Hall 6B, from 12pm to 10pm on the 8th and 9th, and 12pm to 8pm on the 10th and with a newly added segment this time, is the Miss Tattoo Asia pageant. With guest appearance by Kim Saigh (LA ink), Tim Hendricks (Gold Rush tattoo), Michelle Myles (Daredevil tattoo and winner of TLC’s Tattoo War Competition at the 6th Annual Boston Tattoo Convention), Shige (Yellow Blaze Tattoo, Japan) and returning to this show again will be Chris Garver (Miami ink) and Bob Tyrell (Night Gallery). Also attending the show will be VIP guest, Matt Booth, celebrity jewellery designer and owner of Room101 who is also the guest judge for this upcoming year’s tattoo show with Room101 being the major sponsor for this event. And with over 300 over tattoo artists present in showcasing their works live, I believe this is a good opportunity for anyone in Singapore to go and take a look at the show. This is a small step, but it’s good to know that slowly and maybe in the near future, tattoos won’t be such a stigma in Asian countries and will be slowly accepted. It is understandable that some are rejecting the idea of tattoos for religious purposes, but it is also important that respect is given to those who do not share the same religion or tradition, so mutual understanding is very crucial when it comes to such a sensitive topic in Asia. Hopefully people will be more open minded and understanding when it comes to things that they don’t have in common. |
Singapore Tattoo Show
Singapore Tattoo Show 2010
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You're kidding right? A tattoo show in SINGAPORE? Wow. Junior is sure shaking things up. Next thing you know there'll be a Hells Angels posse cruising down Orchard. Or maybe not.
 |  | nick Dec 19, 2009 13:27 | |
Hearing about other cultures is always very interesting.
Keep up the great work.
Best of luck.
Frederick
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