Back and bigger than ever, the Australian International Tattoo Expo returns to Sydney this month to showcase the best the city has to offer in tattoo talent.

The national event, which visits each of Australia’s major cities, has long been a highlight on the calendar for any budding or seasoned tattoo artist. It’s an opportunity to present skills and techniques among their peers as adoring body art enthusiasts watch on, intrigued and in awe of the artistic skills on show.

Since June 2015, the Expo has been under new management, with organisers Rhiannon Kennedy-Bush and Daniel Bowler helping steer it in a direction where the industry’s appreciation and recognition of its finest proponents becomes key. For Kennedy-Bush and Bowler, it was important the three-day Sydney event focus on finding the right balance between the commercial and celebrity attractions, the type of tattoo fan who follows reality television, and the underground tattoo scene.

“The Expo is about the artist,” says Kennedy-Bush. “We want to give tattoo artists a platform where their talent is recognised throughout the tattoo community in Australia, giving them exposure and getting their brand up, making sure the artist is the focus of the Expo.”

The spotlight will certainly shine brighter on the artists at this year’s event thanks to the expansion of the Artist of the Expo competition, which offers a huge incentive for both national and international contestants. Bowler explains, “There’s prize money of $2,500 for each artist, the largest amount put up in any event of this kind, as well as a free stand in future Expos. Different categories are judged on different days and points are acquired through the competitions.”

The more categories the artists enter, the more chances they have of winning and gaining recognition across a range of styles. Meanwhile, there are several national and international artists visiting this year who stand out in particular. “The big draw is obviously Paul Booth, who will be tattooing and is a judge on the panel for the Artist of the Expo competition,” says Bowler. “Kurt Jones is the best traditional tattooist in his age group in Australia; only in his mid-20s and already with 100,000+ Instagram followers.” The organisers’ other tips to look out for include Matt Curzon of Empire Collective, Jimi May, and Maija Arminen of Kaleidoscope Tattoo, who will jump out at you for her unique fusion of styles, particularly pastels, that seem to create something new.

It sounds like it’s all great things happening for the artists at this year’s Expo, but what of the loyal tattoo enthusiasts – what attractions do the public have to look forward to this year? (Besides the chance to see their favourite artists in action, of course.)

“We’ve been working hard to have more of a mix of entertainment up onstage, more things to do for visitors while their friend is getting tattooed,” Kennedy-Bush explains.

These various sights to see include local circus act Kanteena, paying service to another alternative interest outside tattooing, as well as a classic car and bike show inside the venue. There’s also talk of a meet-and-greet session with Booth, a special appearance by tattoo model and SullenTV host Bernadette Macias, as well as the Girls of Ink competition. With all this to see, hear and do, the 2016 Sydney edition of the Australian International Tattoo Expo is set to offer enough inspiring tattoo action to melt your eyeballs and whet your appetite for ink.

See Also: The BRAG chats to some of the exhibitors here…Authentink Studio,Blacktown Tattoo, and Little Tokyo Temple Of Art.

Australian International Tattoo Expotakes placeFriday March 11 – Sunday March 13 atRoyal Hall Of Industries.

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