All Walks of Art
Burlesque dancers, sculptors, massage therapists, barbers, Bitcoin, Mary Jane, piercers, rock bands, and over a thousand paint colors and needles. What is their connection? The Fredericton Tattoo Expo.
The Fredericton Tattoo Expo spanned the second floor of the Fredericton Convention Centre. All walks of art filled the centre from paintings to sculpting to hair cutting to tattoos.
“Its a great opportunity for tattoo lovers to come here and be tattooed by someone who they wouldn’t normally be tattooed by,” said Brent Buchanan.
Buchanan is the creator and head organizer of the Fredericton Tattoo Expo. He created the tattoo expo because he has been in radio for 25 years and wanted to do something that would occupy his mind.
“Moncton has one, Halifax has one, so why can’t Fredericton have one,” said Buchanan.
He also wanted to give those who had never seen someone get a tattoo or have never gotten a tattoo a chance to meet and get tattoos from what many think are the best in the business.
He and many others agree that tattoos are controversial among the older and younger generations. Some believe that tattoos still represent gangs and are inappropriate to have for those in higher paying jobs.
However, millennials have taken a liking to tattoos, and more tattoos can be seen on the young, old, and everywhere in between.
“Early television programs like Miami Ink, that showed…that it was not all bikers and out-laws that it was everybody getting tattoos and more people from all walks of life started to get tattoos,” said Josh Bodwell, a tattoo artist at the expo.
He also added that “I think there was a bit more with social media as well a little bit more education on what makes a good tattoo and so I see a lot more and a lot better tattoos.”
For many, tattoos mean more than an image being drawn on their body.
“It’s not just a tattoo, its a piece of art that you’re wearing,” said Buchanan, the head organizer.
Others like Alisha Stephen, a woman who spent three days at the tattoo expo getting her leg tattoo, get tattoos as a way of expressing themselves.
“I’ve always liked tattoos, having artwork on your body, expressing yourself, being bright and colorful,” said Stephen.
Amanda Mainers, a volunteer at the expo, also likes tattoos that express herself. Over the last nine years, she has gotten 42 tattoos. Her most recent one being the epilepsy symbol which she got at the expo as a sign that she has epilepsy. She unlike many does not find tattoos painful.
“They’re my way to relax, my Woosah, my calming, if I’m having a bad day, I definitely want somebody to do a tattoo because it’s a great stress relief,” said Mainers.
Those without tattoos still appreciate them. For instance, Peter Murchison, a pop artist from East Coast Pete Carvings and Curiosities appreciates tattoos even though he does not have any.
“Somebody sits there for hours on end…there’s a lot of dedication that goes into it,” said Murchison.
All walks of art find a connection with tattoos. Murchison believes his 3D pop art had a connection to tattoos. Jason Bizarre from the Strange & Bizarre East Coast Side Show that performed at the expo feels the same way.
“People who had tattoos were shunned from society freak show weirdos were shunned from society so naturally, they became friends,” said Bizarre.
He is among many who enjoyed getting piercings over the weekend.
“I am getting my nipples pierced after my Sunday show,” said Bizarre.
He and about 4,000 others enjoyed the entertainment thanks to the new perspective on tattoos.
“I think it’s a trend that’s going to continue to grow,” said Buchanan.
Photo Credits: Lizzy Polk/ STU Journalism
