Total Tattoo Magazine 2010

Birmingham’s big show, Ink & Iron, is the longest running
tattoo convention in the UK. After a two-year vacation
from the circuit, and having chosen to make their
comeback sans the ‘Iron’ and in a different venue, it’s safe to
say that there was some degree of risk for the organisers of
the 15th Ink & Iron Tattoo Convention.

With more parks than any other European city and apparently almost six trees to every one
resident, Birmingham is certainly no longer the workshop of the world as it used to be known
during the Industrial Revolution. The city is fairly centrally positioned in the UK and has great
transport links, making it easily accessible from all parts of the country. Positioned about half a
mile from the city centre, on the banks of a picturesque reservoir complete with ducks and sail
boats, Ink & Iron’s new venue, The Tower Ballroom and Banqueting Suite, certainly made the most
of the city’s new-ish found beauty.
Every tattoo style under the sun was represented by the impressive and well-balanced line-up of
working tattoo artists, including Mandie Barber from True Love, John Treharne from Skin
Creation, Dawnii from Painted Lady Tattoo Parlour, Donna Reid from Infinite Ink, Amanda West
from Alzone, Jes from White Rabbit, Cheryl and the crew from Birmingham Ink, Matt Faulkner
from State of the Art and UK convention regular Lawrence Ah Ching from Le Segaula Tatau in
Samoa, with his traditional hand tapping.

Stalls selling the usual alternative clothing and jewellery were keeping the crowds busy in
between getting tattooed and relaxing on the comfortable sofas in the bar area, and a varied live
entertainment programme kept the day flowing with acts like The Femones, an all female
Ramones tribute band, and a disturbing suspension skit courtesy of Constant Elevation, where a
couple decided it would be a splendid idea to eat their dinner of insects while hanging from
hooks at a table in the air.

Ink & Iron has always been famed for its competitions, which seem to garner more entries than
almost any other show! This year they had a staggering 16 categories and people queued across
the hall to enter. Judging took place throughout the day in a private room, which saved time and
therefore kept the show running smoothly. Contestants were brought out on stage later in the
day to tell the audience about their tattoos and show off their work in the Tattoo Parade.

Compered by Tinker, the parade highlighted some great work by veterans like John Treharne of
Skin Creation, showcasing his beautiful Japanese work, and fresh new talents like Tommi of NoRegrets in Cheltenham, with his shockingly
bright colour work.

A couple of things worth mentioning are that
some potential tattoo clients were battling to
be heard over the extremely loud live music
and the light levels were lower than is ideal
for tattooing (although many artists had
brought their own additional lighting). If the
music gets turned down and the lights get
turned up next year, it will be fast approaching
a flawless convention. Retaining their intensive
one-day format and leaving the custom bikes
out of the formula (although there were
traces of the old mix in the two gleaming
choppers on either side of the stage) was
obviously a good move. Considering the
lengthy queue that formed before the doors
had even opened and the vast sea of happy
faces circulating in The Tower, it’s safe to say
that the 15th Ink & Iron has officially revived its legacy. Sweet 16 here we come...

WINNERS
Male Individual
Steve by Tommi, No Regrets
Female Individual
Aimee by Tommi
Black and Skin
Dan by Ken Denny
Male Tribal
Wes by Spider
Female Tribal
Tasha by Dawnii, Painted Lady Tattoo Parlour
Portrait
Jake by Craven, Gypsy Rose Tattoos
Bodysuit
Hazel by Paul Rollett, Eclipse Tattoo
Male Leg
Chris by John Treharne, Skin Creation
Female Leg
Hazel by Paul Rollett
Male Sleeve
Rob by Tommi
Female Sleeve
Dianne by John Treharne
Male Back
Paul by Spacey, Bizarre Ink
Female Back
Ruth by Robb Priest, Eternal Tattoo
Male done at the Convention
Danny by Donna Reid, Infinite Ink
Female done at the Convention
Vicky Clarke by Muff, Ultimate Art
Tattoo Artist of the Convention
John Treharne