With preparations in full swing for Malta’s first tattoo convention, Ramona Depares catches up with one of the organisers, Damian Allison to find out more.

Prejudice against people with tattoos remains a problem, albeit not as strongly as before. Photo: Tamsin Pace Decesare

As Malta gets ready for the first tattoo convention, musicians, artists and performers will be joining forces during the three-day event to offer visitors a holistic cultural experience.

Organised by Rejects Events, the Malta Tattoo Expo has attracted the participation of the majority of tattoo artists on the island, as well as a number of foreign names.

“Many have been toying with the idea to organise a convention in Malta for a number of years. This never happened due to a lot of logistical hurdles,”says Damian Allison, who makes part of the Rejects.com.mt Crew and is one of the organisers.

“When we decided to start working on a definite plan we were very aware of this, so we started tackling the challenges from the start.”

Challenges were mainly related to permits and location. Hygiene, understandably, played a big role, particularly in the choice of venue.

“We couldn’t have any carpeting, for instance, in order to keep things as clinical as possible,” Allison explains.

“But, refreshingly, apart from the logistic pains that form part of any big event, the general reactions to the convention were positive ones. It helped that we really did our homework well, of course. We had kicked off the research over a year in advance.”

The research, which included visiting a number of tattoo conventions abroad, paid off as the positive reaction extended from the authorities to the public.

Within a short time of launching on social media, the event had attracted over 3,000 ‘likes’.

And now, with only a few weeks to go, the event has consolidated itself into an arts festival that will include some 30 Maltese tattoo artists and two Spanish ones.

A grand opening was naturally required for this first edition, so a band was formed, aptly called Beyond the Skin, that will perform just for this occasion.

The band, which is co-ordinated by Wayne Camilleri, is made up of household names on the music scene – Frank Calleja, Mikaela, Paul Sky, Leo Stivala, Chris Curmi, Jonathan Ellul and Robert Spiteri. Beyond the Skin will be performing a selection of popular rock numbers throughout the opening Friday concert.

Music, in fact, plays a strong role across the three days as a number of Maltese bands spanning a variety of genres will also be giving performances.

The bands include hip-hop outfit Marmalja, UK-based beatboxer Dana McKeon, rock bands Sugar Rush, Milk Mi and Forty Days of Rain, all-female synth-poppers Cryptic Street, acoustic duo Bernie & Pod and post-grungers Jack’s Fusion.

There will also be DJ sets by DJ Hades, Necrospasm and Stephen Davids, as well as a stand-up comedy routine by Malcolm Alden.

A band was formed, aptly called Beyond the Skin, that will perform just for this occasion

Allison adds that there will also be a number of activities aimed specifically for children, for those families who would like to get the little ones with them.

This statement acts as the perfect springboard for the next question. Does he feel that this might spur negative reactions from those who are unfamiliar with the art of inking?

“Needless to say, no one who is under 18 years of age is going to be getting any tattoos. That much should be obvious to everyone.

“ However, we do not see why those who would like to make a family outing out of this convention should not also find activities that are suitable for children.

“This is also a good way to bring everyone together and to have fun. While the parents are looking at the inking, the children can enjoy a spot of face-painting or any of the myriad child-friendly activities,” he explains.

He adds that attendees to the event are likely to be those who already love the art and who are thus unlikely to have any prejudices about it.

Because yes, Allison adds, preju-dice remains a problem, albeit not as strongly as before.

“I grew up in an inked family. I have never had any problems, but I am well aware that some people still look at tattoos askance.”

His wife Krissie Allison Gouder echoes his words... dirty looks when she is out with their young son are not uncommon, even today.

“Some people somehow believe that the presence of my tattoos is a negative reflection on my mothering skills. I honestly don’t understand how they make that connection in their mind.

“There are so many mothers who have no tattoos but who will never win any ‘mum of the year’ awards either. And there are also mothers with tattoos who make it their life’s mission to offer the best life to their kids. The one has no bearing on the other,” she tells me.

The couple, as part of the Rejects Crew, were in fact two of the people who founded the Facebook group ‘Tattoo acceptance in the workplace’ in an effort to foster acceptance of the body art.

“I’ll conclude by adding that those who remain unconvinced should join us at the expo. We will be happy to welcome them and to take a shot at showing them there really is nothing wrong with body art,” Allison said.

The Malta Tattoo Expo takes place between November 7 and 9 at The Diamond, Qormi. Tickets are available from www.ticketline.com.mt.

https://www.facebook.com/maltatattooexpo