From southern-crosses, to a portrait of a long deceased loved one, and everything in-between, the tattoo art form is a varied and largely very personal pool of incredible works created by an exceptionally talented artist. To help showcase and promote some of the incredible talent in the industry we on the Sunshine Coast have to offer, the Ink Attack Tattoo and Art convention will be held this year in Bokarina, featuring amazing local and international artists from some of the biggest shops and studios that are currently taking the industry by storm. This Friday the 30th of August until Sunday the 1st of September – Lake Kawana Community Centre will play host to wall the wall buzzing needles and flowing ink as incredible artists showcase their talents and hock their merch.

The now not so humble tattoo industry has seen a huge boom in the last few decades, largely thanks to shows on network television that followed the stories of artists and their clients as they worked together to create their works of art. Whatever your view of tattoos, it is undeniably one of humanities oldest art forms, with fossilised evidence of tattooing being practised by some of our earliest ancestors. Instagram, facebook, snapchat and the rest of social media is constantly abuzz about tattoos and the culture surrounding them. This has resulted in a cultural shift in the way we all view the art form – and now it’s about as hip as it comes. Some of our best talents will be attending this year, with artists from shops like Black Ivy Tattoo – an all female shop that has been taking social media by storm of late, Elite Tattoo of Mooloolaba, Good Vibrationz Tatatau, and many more Australian studios, as well as some featured artists from the states.

As well as being a great way to meet new artists and experience the culture that surrounds tattoos, conventions such as Ink Attack often bring out the best in artists with their contests and showcase competitions. This year each day is packed with contests pitting artists against each other on their portfolio, to fresh works created and finished at the convention itself. In addition to the daily fresh ink competitions, and best of day contests – there is also the awards for best work of the weekend, as well as the highly competitive ‘Tattoo Artist of the Year – 2019’. Competitions such as these drive artists to push their limits and creativity and come up with some of their best works.

Tickets for the convention have already gone on sale – with prices ranging from $28 for a single adult one day pass to $150 for a Family three-day pass.

For more information on the convention, featured artists and ticket prices, visit the Ink Attack convention’s official website here.