Istanbul tattoo artists make their mark

ISTANBUL

"My tattoos are the reflection of my imaginary world," says 31-year-old Selin, just one of the thousands of body-art enthusiasts flocking to Istanbul’s Kadikoy district this weekend.

The neighborhood is hosting the three-day IstanbulTattoo Convention which swung into action today. Now in its second year, the festival is attracting artists, enthusiasts and the simply curious.

Over 75 tattoo artists from Turkey and around the world will showcase their skills at the event which has brought together famous practitioners from as far away as Japan, Russia and New Zealand.

The festival will also host music shows and competitions for the biggest, best and most beautifultattoos.

Sener Oner, chairman of the convention’s organizing company Golden Arrow Tattoo and Piercing said the event brings art and tattooing together.

"In recent years, tattooing is turning into an art form as the artists are working hard to improve themselves," Oner said.

Claiming that tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable Sener added: "Starting as a small fair two years ago, the Istanbul Tattoo Convention has evolved into an international event attracting thousands oftattoo enthusiasts and professionals."

Despite being a rising trend for the last three decades,tattooing has been done for many centuries in different cultures all over the world.

Practiced for centuries in eastern and southern Anatolia for protection against the evil eye, tattooing has more recently been transformed from mere body modification into a form of expression both in Turkey and globally.

Selin had her first tattoo done when she was 18. Describing herself as "obsessed" about tattoos, she says: "I have seven tattoos on my body. My favorite is on my back, because it hurt so much."

The Istanbul Tattoo Convention will run from Friday until September 21 at the Kadikoy Public Education Center.

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