Art engraved on the skin is undergoing technological and cultural innovation

Meow Meow, 30, a tattooist who is talented in new-school style from Hangzhou, guided her tattoo pen across the back of a customer and half an hour later, a multicolored dragon was etched into the skin. She is among over 120 artists at the Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2024.

“In the past, I learned the art on a traditional machine,” she said, “nowadays I use a tattoo motor machine which gives more control over the movement of a pen to accomplish a design.”

The 8th edition of the exhibition returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai from October 4 to October 6. Different tattoo artists have made changes and innovations in tattoo styles or tattoo tools.

Hana Wong, 39, a Hong Kong and Japan-based artist, began to tattoo in 2012. She combined Japanese kamon elements with different patterns to create original works with a Japanese-style petal pattern.

“All our tattoo designs are original, and we're still innovating,” she said.

Feng Shan, 38, a tattooist from Sichuan, combined traditional Chinese and Western realism in her work.

“I like the smudge technique of ink painting. I learned sculpture in university, so I made some changes based on the realistic Western style I learned,” Shan said.

The exhibition organizer, Gabe Shum, said this event will allow tattoo artists and enthusiasts to connect, converse, and exchange ideas.

“Next, I would like to continue to add more tattoos about Hong Kong culture so that people from other countries can recognize and understand Hong Kong culture,” Shum said.

Tan Beibei, 34, from Zhuhai was getting her first tattoo on her 20th birthday. 

“Tattoo is a way to remember something or to express the religion, so I got my father's birthday and death anniversary tattooed on my wrist,” Tan said.

Wu Jian, 41, a Tianjin tattooist, has studied tattoos for 19 years. He said a tattoo must be meaningful and hold a person’s spirit.

“I plan to hold a tattoo exhibition in Tianjin. I believe it will benefit tattooists in Tianjin,” Wu added, “any tattoo should have its special meaning and fit our own experience.”

A one-day ticket to the Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2024 is $200 and for an early bird before September 1, the discount for one day is $160.