This weekend, London is buzzing with excitement as thousands of tattoo lovers have flocked to one of the biggest conventions for body art and modifications in the world. The event, spanning three days at the Tobacco Dock in east London, is a hub for tattoo enthusiasts from around the globe to display their stunning body artwork and perhaps even add some new ink to their collection. The International London Tattoo Convention features over 400 top artists from countries like South Korea, Germany, and Spain, making it a truly international affair.
At the event, some attendees are adorned with elaborate tattoos from head to toe, while others have various body modifications, including one individual with a split tongue. For many captured at the 14th annual gathering, tattoos are more than just a pastime – they are a lifestyle, with hours dedicated to creating the perfect design.
Throughout the weekend, there is a competition where guests can witness the best tattoos created during the convention. This year, the judging panel consists of renowned experts Filip Leu, Mark Mahoney, Luke Atkinson, and Tin Tin. Categories include Best Black and Grey, Best Ornamental, and Best Backpiece, with winners announced at the end of each day.
Shelly d’Inferno, a passionate individual, was proudly photographed at the London International Tattoo Convention presenting her assortment of piercings, tattoos, and unique body alterations.
Revealing it all: Three participants at the convention decided to bare their backs, showcasing an array of vibrant tattoos that they have.
Gloria Jiang and Nadine Dohr proudly show off their stunning and vibrant back tattoos to guests at the well-loved gathering.
Reflection in the mirror: A pair of body art enthusiasts showcasing matching tattoos (and rockin’ similar facial hair) strike a pose together at the London convention.
Face off: Two die-hard tattoo fans showcasing elaborate artwork that starts at the top of their heads and extends down to their necks.
Two ladies donning short skirts to flaunt the intricate body tattoos on their legs at the event.
A female proudly displays her leg ink, with a spider web design on her left knee and a vibrant red rose on the other.
Becky Whiley proudly displays her collection of tattoos, covering her hands, arms, neck, and even her face for the camera. The convention is filled with people adorned in an array of unique and eye-catching designs from head to toe.
A man with glasses proudly displays his detailed tattoos that completely cover his head on one side. Another individual has the word ‘Faith’ inked down the side of his neck.
Melanie Ezechiele, a tattoo artist who shared with the Star that she spends her days in a studio doing tattoos and piercings, proudly boasts a collection of both black and colored ink tattoos. One unique addition to her body art is a silicone implant in the form of a sea shell on her right hand.
At the convention, Cervena Fox confidently flaunts her fiery red hair, bold makeup, and showcases her sleeve tattoos by wearing a sleeveless outfit.
At the convention, tattoo artists have the opportunity to showcase their skills on enthusiastic participants who are eager to display their impressive body art.
Mapping the location: A tattooist traces the design of a fresh piece of body art onto the thigh of a strong man. His body is already adorned with a tattoo of a twisting creature winding its way around his midsection.
A gentleman at the convention opted for a classic tapping tattoo, where colorful pigment is gently massaged into incisions in the skin for a traditional and unique look.
A lady with nipple stickers relaxes in a chair just before getting a fresh tattoo done.
A guy is patiently waiting for a tattoo artist to put a fierce tiger design on his back using vibrant purple ink.
Horikashi, a skilled tattoo artist from Japan, is seen tattooing a man’s upper thigh at the International tattoo convention.
Horisumi, a skilled tattoo artist, was seen creating a traditional Japanese tebori tattoo at a convention in London.
As the tattoo artist meticulously works on her upper back, a woman sits still, eagerly anticipating the finished design. Her right arm already adorned with a sleeve of tattoos, she is adding to her collection with this new piece of body art.
Kicking back: A cheerful guy with glasses is getting a new tattoo on his left leg, adding to his collection of ink on his arms.
Finishing the ensemble: One attendee at the convention sported a tiger tattoo on his stomach as well as a new tattoo on his chest.
While a tattoo artist diligently works on a design on his left thigh, a man tunes into his favorite tunes through his earphones.
In London, a woman with a nose piercing decided to get a tattoo on her upper chest during the convention.
A convention-goer in London recently got a tattoo done on his lower back.
An enthusiast of body art expands his diverse tattoo collection, which winds its way from the top of his back down to the bottom of his thighs.
At the convention, tattoo artists are busy creating vibrant designs. One attendee stands out with her striking pink and black mohawk.
Intense Stare: A guy flaunts his face ink as he sports some badass spiked shades.
Patrick Theiler, a fan of tattoos, strikes a pose for a photo at the renowned London International Tattoo Convention.
One enthusiast flaunts his unique facial tattoo, while another proudly showcases a skull-inspired design inked on the back of his head.
At the convention, a guy reveals his split tongue, achieved by cutting the tongue down the middle from the tip to the base and creating a forked end. Meanwhile, a woman is getting a chest tattoo in the same event.
Rafel Delelande and Patrick Theiler, both passionate about tattoos, were photographed at a convention in London.
Rafel Delelande, an artist working out of Seven Doors Studio in London, is known for his extensive collection of body art, with numerous tattoos adorning his skin.
Passionate body art enthusiast Rafel Delelande adorned his hands with intricate smaller tattoos and covered his shoulders with large, bold blocks of dark ink.
A wide variety of body alterations like facial piercings and bold eyeball tattoos could be seen throughout the gathering.
Patrick, who came all the way from Minnesota, shared with the Daily Star that he came to London for the weekend to complete his full body tattoo. He proudly described his tattoo as a ‘masterpiece’ that required a total of 280 hours to finish.
Sakyo and Wang Ching-Tun, talented tattoo artists from Diao Zuo tattoo studio, proudly display their intricate body artwork and exceptional craftsmanship.
Females proudly display their tattoo artwork at the London convention in vibrant and eye-catching attire.
Exposed: A number of body art enthusiasts proudly showed off their extensively tattooed backs and legs at the convention, opting for minimal clothing to fully display their impressive ink designs.
All in: A guy confidently flaunts his elaborate tattoos featuring a colorful floral design in red, black, and green adorning his back, arms, and legs.
Two ladies flaunt their stunning body artwork, with intricate tattoos that extend from their backs all the way down to their thighs, showcasing a mesmerizing display of creativity and style.
Taking the plunge: Two ladies gossip at the conference while proudly showing off the detailed flower tattoos adorning their backs.
Two ladies proudly display their intricate back tattoos, with one adding a touch of edginess by accessorizing with white skull-themed earrings.
At the convention, three guys rocked some seriously cool mohawks, one of them even took it to the next level by dividing his bright red hair into six distinct strands and styling them in different directions using gel.
A man decided to express his beliefs by getting bold slogans inked onto his face. Among them was the word ‘Freedom’ prominently displayed across his neck in big capital letters.
A guy decided to get intricate geometric designs inked all over his back, buttocks, and legs.
At the convention, a female entertainer captivates the audience with her performance in a striking black corset adorned with glittering gemstones.