Tattooists return to the Mother City

The 2010 convention has almost doubled its roster of top international artists attending, once again including some of the biggest stars of international tattooing, such as Paul Booth, Bob Tyrrell, Hailin Fu (China), Nick Chaboya, Shane Munce, and Glen Paradis. And that's not counting the local legends such as Manuela Gray, Rev Simon White, Tyler Murphy, Milo “Mr. Lucky”: Marcer and others.

Supported by Harley-Davidson, the second annual Southern Ink Xposure will be held from 22 to 24 January 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and will again comprise a series of art exhibitions, live collaborative art events, top-notch live music and, of course, the convention itself—all of which aim to celebrate and showcase global tattoo culture and lifestyle within a uniquely and beautifully South African context.

Highlights of SIX 2010 include:

Tattoo Art Exhibition at VANSA (Visual Arts Network of South Africa) - 19 to 24 January, 2010. This two-week-long gallery exhibit will feature artworks by artists from around the world. It explores the tattoo in a variety of mediums, with emphasis on its place as a contemporary art form.

Hearts exhibition & auction at VANSA and the CTICC

With all the excitement generated by this year's “Skulls” exhibition (which premiered at the SIX gallery at the CTICC and then moved to Toronto in June with an entirely new set of pieces) organisers were hard pressed to outdo themselves for SIX 2010. In the coming months, a select group of South Africa's leading contemporary creatives will be adding their unique adornment to some specially created precast, anatomically-correct hearts with a simple brief: “Interpret the medium in any way you want to.” The exhibition will premier with the Tattoo Art Exhibition at VANSA, and will then be blind-auctioned with all proceeds raised going to charity.

Artist Meet and Greet at Anton Anreith Square - 21 January, 2010

This event serves to give our international guests a taste of South African hospitality. A traditional braai will be laid out for the artists where they'll have a chance to mingle with local artists, event organisers and sponsors. Guest musicians Lonesome Dave Ferguson and Them Tornados will be performing special “unplugged” sets. Event partners Harley-Davidson will also be displaying their newest range of bikes and other bits of drool-inducing hardware.

SIX 2010 - opens to the public at the CTICC - Friday 22 to Sunday 24 January

Giant AV screens will broadcast live events such as competitions, videos, live interviews and convention images.

Rock Like You Roll - Concert Night at Mercury Live & Lounge - Friday 22 January

This event was sold out at the first Southern Ink Xposure. Mercury Live & Lounge again plays host to the Friday night concert evening for SIX. This year's musical entertainment will be provided by exceptional live acts, including The Ragdolls, Taxi Violence, The Mochines, Throatball and a special guest or two.

Other attractions of SIX 2010

Giant video screens and a state-of-the-art sound system with images manipulated live by VJ virtuoso Inka.

Children's Art Area: Southern Ink Xposure offers parents a supervised children's area where paints and canvases will be available allowing the little ones to express and explore their creative energies. “Tallulah's Tattoo Colouring Book” will make another return.

Convention tickets and event details are available at www.capetattooconvention.co.za. Tickets will be available from select outlets around the country from 1 December 2009. Single-day admission is R120 and a weekend pass is R250, which allows unlimited access to the convention for all three days and free entrance to the concerts.

More information can be found at the event's website: www.capetattooconvention.co.za or via the event's