Tattoo Enthusiasts an Ever Growing Community

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Tattoo Enthusiasts an Ever Growing Community
October 15, 2010
By EDWIN P. SALLAN
mb.com.ph

In what has become a much-anticipated tattoo lovefest, the recently concluded Dutdutan X: A Decade of Artistic Ink again has brought together both the country’s best “skin specialists” and acclaimed tattoo artists from France, Guam, Singapore, and Korea. They and numerous tattoo enthusiasts all gathered under one roof for an “illustrated weekend” at the World Trade Center.

The blockbuster attendance is yet another indication of the mainstreaming of tattoo culture. No longer perceived as an inappropriate form of self-expression or an iconography of the criminal mind, tattoos and the lifestyle they represent continue to gain popularity in many parts of the world, particularly in North and South America, Japan, and Europe. Enormous improvements in safety and sterilization methods, advancements in tattoo pigments and the increasing sophistication of equipment, and the steady rise of new artists in the industry—many with technical and fine arts training—have resulted in some of the most awe-inspiring skin art in recent years.

A moving force behind the Dutdutan series, premier tattoo artist Ricky Sta. Ana of Skinworkz, a co-presenter of the event, says he’s very pleased with how Dutdutan has evolved over the years, from a mere “gathering of musicians, tattoo artists, painters, tattoo enthusiasts and music lovers in Malate,” to a well-attended convention of a now universally-recognized industry.

Although there were other activities that marked the recent two-day celebration, including performances by the country’s top local bands, a bike show, an exhibit of vintage cars, a URCC hardcore reality combat exhibition fights, a drum duel and the popular bikini open competition, the tattoo artists remain the main draws of the event.

Tattoo enthusiasts and first-timers were treated to tattooing demonstrations from a diverse lot of local and international tattoo artists. With even more exhibition participants this year, many attendees were more than encouraged to turn their own skin into tattoo canvases.

Presented by Tribal Gear Philippines, a “streetwear” clothing brand that has pioneered what may well be considered as “tattoo-inspired fashion,” this year’s Dutdutan event also featured the members of the Tribal clique from San Diego, California, including Wuv, drummer of the hardcore band, POD, renowned inker Franco Vescovi, multimedia artist, Willie T. and Tribal Gear founder Bobby Ruiz.

The rise of Tribal Gear shows how the tattoo subculture has been assimilated into the larger lifestyle culture. Starting the Tribal Streetwear brand with his brother Joel in 1989, Ruiz says that they initially just printed tattoo flashes on shirts. As the brand continued to be synonymous with tattoos and attracted its own solid following, Tribal Gear was able to build a formidable pool of tattoo and graffiti artists who have since created masterpieces that went beyond their usual canvas of skin and public spaces. These artists brought their talents to Tribal’s clothing line, which has also since expanded to include hoodies, hoop jerseys, hats and beenies, pants and shorts and even skateboards.

Ruiz however considers Tribal as “more of a movement and not just a clothing brand.” He insists that the original idea behind Tribal Gear still remains today: “to represent who we are collectively and express ourselves through our art, lifestyle, and images without compromise.”

“It’s all about the whole, solid lifestyle,” he exclaims. “B-boys, tattoos, low riders, rock n roll, hip-hop, bikers, skaters, they all spell the mix.” Ruiz says, “It’s always been that way. We’re not compromising or changing. It always had the same elements, only now, it’s on a whole different level.”