Last Friday through Sunday, Villain Arts hosted the 19th annual Philadelphia Tattoo Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, with tickets priced at $22. The show showcased many tattoo artists; some local, some famous, and some just starting out. Attendees were welcome to schedule appointments or do walk-ups at some of the tattoo booths. Some guests opted to just look at the immense amount of artwork that was being showcased. The convention offered entertainment throughout the three days, including various freak show booths and multiple performances by The Enigma. The convention was not only available for adults to attend, children who attended were able to get henna tattoos or face paint for $8.
The event was a crowded ordeal. Bright lights and big crowds led to a hot environment, but that did not stop guests from enjoying their time. For some people it was their first time getting a tattoo, other people were covered from head to toe in ink. The convention was full with people who loved tattoos and hated them. One man was covered in tattoos and claimed that his wife hated tattoos, but she was still there. As Anthony Bleeker of Skin City tattoo said, “Tattoos, they’re not for everyone, we had a 93 year old come into the shop for her first one [the other day]. Another guy cam in and said, ‘my wife died, it’s finally time.'”
Guests wait in line for a security check at the 19th annual Villain Arts Philadelphia Tattoo Convention on Saturday. The Convention Center added extra security measures for this event. Guests had their bags checked and were checked with a hand held metal detector before entering.
Guests at the Philadelphia Tattoo Convention checking out artwork on Saturday. Tattoos were not the only thing sold at the convention. Many artists were selling prints of their artwork. The paintings shown above were on sale for about $1500 a piece.
The Philadelphia Tattoo Convention had plenty of entertainment happening throughout the day. The Enigma, an American sideshow performer, performed on Saturday. His show includes putting swords and other various objects, like this helium stick, down his throat. After the show he offered to tattoo puzzle pieces, like the ones on his body, for $100.
Tom Wayden, from Behind the Circle tattoo shop, giving a stick and poke tattoo to a guest. Stick and poke is a method of tattooing where the artist repeatedly sticks a needle with ink on it into the skin.
Original artwork that Robert Hunt of Skin City Tattoos was offering to guests for a discounted price. Hunt promised that these tattoo designs have never been tattoo’d before, so they were completely individual to whoever bought them. Many artists had artwork like this laid out on their tables and guests were welcome to approach tables and ask about any time slots artists had available. Many artists were booked for the whole day, but many kept their schedules clear for walk ups.
Robert Hunt, of Skin City Tattoos in New York, sketches a tattoo for guest Tyler Wood. Wood asked for a tattoo of the character Morty from the famous Adult Swim show “Rick and Morty.” It was a simple tattoo for Hunt, yet he joked, “That’s gonna be the most difficult tattoo I ever did.”
Hunt figuring out where to place the tattoo sketch on guest Tyler Wood’s arm. According to Hunt, Skin City Tattoo is from New York, and they brought a crowd of friends with them into town for the Convention.
Hunt tattoos Wood with his third tattoo. Wood said he was more excited than nervous about the tattoo because this is the start of his quarter sleeve.
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