Inking in the name of
Now in its ninth year, the Dublin Tattoo Convention attracts tattoo artists from across the world. This year, 120 exhibitors from Europe, America and Asia took part.
Anne Sexton, 16 May 2012
Tattooing the name of a partner is a risky business. Johnny Depp famously deleted part of his ‘Winona Forever’ tattoo so that it now reads ‘Wino Forever’. Angelina Jolie used to sport a tribute to former husband Billy Bob Thorton on her upper arm but this has been lasered off and replaced with the co-ordinates of where her brood of children were born. Angelina is seriously fond of ink and has several other tattoos, including a Buddhist incantation on her shoulder and a Bengal tiger on her lower back.
Choosing a Tattoo Artist
There are a number of factors involved when choosing your tattoo artist. First off you should consider their previous body of work and find a tattooist whose style matches what you want.
Secondly, the tattoo artist should be someone you like. He or she doesn’t have to be your new best friend, but if you are getting a design that takes a number of sittings, you’ll appreciate someone with whom you have a degree of empathy.
Lastly, but certainly not least, you need to consider hygiene. Never use a tattoo parlour that looks dirty because you risk infection. However, the most dangerous “dirt” is not anything you can see.
Of particular concern are amateur tattooists who re-use needles. A number of diseases can be spread by sharing needles, including Hepatitis C and HIV so this is not a trivial matter. Lucikly, the Association of Body Modification Artists in Ireland (ABMAI) has guidelines to help you chose wisely.
Irish Tattoo Studios
Urban Gorilla
1 Water Lane, Sligo, County Sligo
Tel: 071 9146694
www.urbangorilla.ie
Graham “Wally” Wallace of Urban Gorilla has been tattooing for 13 years and learnt his craft in Sydney, Australia. Wally does all styles of tattooing but specialises in Polynesian, tribal and blackwork designs, inspired by his extensive travels in the East. “I got my first tattoo in London at age 17, a grim reaper on my arm,” Wally says. But, he informs HP, this youthful choice has been covered up a long time ago. Urban Gorilla promises its customers “sound choons, eclectic art and a relaxed crew”, helmed by head tattooist Wally.
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Anne Sexton
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