The man behind the show -...
The man behind the show - Cesar
Nowadays Tattoo art is more accepted due to the mass media and programs that show Tattoo art as not just an underground form of body modification. We traveled to The Expo Tatuaje in Monterrey Mexico where we got a chance to check the flesh art of some of the best tattoo artists from around the world. The show started off slow, but with artists traveling from all over the world to be part of the Expo, the venue was soon full of tattoo fanatics and collectors.
Arriving in Monterrey on Thursday we were greeted by many tattoo artists who are familiar with ARTE. On Friday we had a few meeting with Cesar, the man behind the Expo, who gave us the run down of the weekend. I teamed up with the crew from Por Vida tattoo--Clarens and Diego, and we set out to the city to check out some of the cultural and art museums.
Many American Tattoo artists attended the show including Bob Tyrrell, Goethe, John Durante, and Steve Godoy, just to name a few. But the local Mexican artists were there representing in full force: Kiki Platas, Sammy, Paco Arias, Indio, El Tigre, El Stomper, Xno, Lalo Silva, Pocho, Floys and all the crew from Cesar's shop from Ritual. Saturday on the stage was the female group Angola and later a poster signing by Spanish heavy metal band Brujeria, and a Freak show by Enigma. Sunday started off with over 2,500 people waiting in line to get into the Tattoo Expo.
Diego, Edgar Hoill, george,...
Diego, Edgar Hoill, george, and Clarence
As I walked the show I checked out the Jaguar collection by the guys from Mexico City. The collection includes 20 carved jaguar heads that were decorated by top Tattoo Artist from around the world. Works from Pedro Alvares, Kiki Platas, Dr Lakra, El Chino, Lalo Silva and Goethe will be displayed in a world tour along with the Jaguar heads.
We got a sneak peak at them before the show on Sunday, and I have to say, this will be featured in an upcoming spread in LRA.
Around 5 pm the Tattoo contests started where I was invited to be a judge. With so many great tattoo artists' work, the judging took over an hour. In the end Xno, Indio, and Bob Tyrrell took home the trophies. After the tattoo contest, Pato machete took the stage and tore it up with some of his hits from Control Machete. The house was so packed that during the concert, the crowd's jumping caused the building to literally shake. At the end of the concert the noise of buzzing tattoo machines took over once again while some spectators were still getting their ink finished.
After the show we said our goodbyes and headed out. If you missed this show, make sure you make the trip for the next and check www.expotatuaje.com for upcoming events and information.