KUCHING, April 8 — The Kuching International Tattoo Expo 2024 culminated in a thrilling finale last night, as winners were crowned across three distinct categories: Traditional Hand-Tapped Tattoo, Realism Tattoo, and Freestyle Tattoo.
Hailing from the Philippines, Katribu Tattoo (Katribu) emerged triumphant in the Traditional Hand-Tapped Tattoo category, with Indonesia’s Durga Sipatiti securing second and third places.
Artists participating were permitted to submit multiple designs within each category, providing a diverse array of tattoo artistry to the judging panel.
Describing their winning creation, Katribu’s artist Desk Mullen, 34, shared that the design drew inspiration from the intricate textures of snake and carabao skin.
“Our tattoo embodies traditional Filipino motifs, blending styles from the northern region of the Philippines, reflecting my roots, and the Mindanao style, as our executing artist, Jonathan Cena, hails from there,” Mullen explained during a press briefing.
Mullen elaborated that he served as the model for Cena’s design during the evaluation phase, with fellow team member Jean Sioson also participating in the expo.
Meanwhile, the top accolade in the Realism Tattoo category went to 30-year-old Billy Sarte of Hell Ink, who not only claimed first place but also secured the runner-up position. Xiao Qiang rounded out the category in third place.
Expressing his astonishment at the win, Sarte, also from the Philippines, initially joined the expo with the simple intention of enjoying the company of fellow tattoo artists.
“In the beginning, I was apprehensive, hardly daring to entertain thoughts of victory. Yet, here I am, pleasantly surprised,” Sarte remarked.
Han Tattoo clinched the first position in the Freestyle Tattoo category, followed by Nagaia in second place and Xiao Qiang’s design in third.
Beyond the main categories, each day of the April 5 to April 7 event featured a “Best of the Day” tattoo design winner, with Jona, Sarte, and Mitchrons claiming victory on consecutive days.
Concluding at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Hall, the Kuching International Tattoo Expo 2024 concluded with spirited celebrations, including live band performances that added to the event’s energetic ambiance.
The success of this year’s expo signifies a significant milestone, sparking anticipation among tattoo artists, attendees, and enthusiasts for future editions of the event.