08 May 2017

BEIRUT: A mechanical whir hummed beneath the music filling Concrete 1994 in Sin al-Fil Sunday, as artists bent over shoulders, thighs, necks and arms to ink first-timers and the initiated alike at Lebanons first Tattoo Festival. Though the 14 tattoo artists each had their own booth decked with examples of their work, designs to choose from and the tools of the trade there was no division or competition between artists.

Weve been meeting since October ... spending lots of days together and there are no bad vibes. Today one of my pieces was referred to me from one of the [other] artists ... [the client] went to him and he said, You want this style, you should go to Taha, Taha Sammour of Lost Boys Tattoo Inc., told The Daily Star during a break from working on a geometric owl design on a womans upper back the clients first tattoo.

The festival on a whole was a collaboration. Everyone was thinking about doing something like this, but on their own, Sammour said, laughing. The moment we met, all of us, it was just, Yes we want to do this, were going to make it work by any means.

David Yeghiayan, founder of Pure Vision Tattoos, said he had always dreamed of putting on a tattoo convention in Lebanon, but didnt realize it was a common goal until he got talking with fellow tattooist Hussein Mistrah. I guess we were all on the same wavelength but just didnt know it, and when we met it just clicked, he said. The energy has always been positive, if it werent for this positive group effort none of this wouldve happened.

Yeghiayans wife, Noura, took on an organizational role as the plan for the festival took shape.

She said that while there were inevitable challenges in organizing this first event, the feedback had been positive. Theyve already had requests to hold the festival annually, and international artists have expressed interest in participating in future iterations. We have a lot of talented local tattoo artists. Were looking to promote [them], help them get better, travel to conventions and probably do workshops for upcoming artists at [some point], Noura said, adding that the festival celebrated a wider culture. Were happy to have this kind of environment, where tattoos are out there now, theyre not a taboo anymore. ... Were not trying to push people to get tattoos, but to leave them to make their own choice.

The festival, held on May 6-7, was a way for the curious to get a taste of the process and see a range of styles in a relaxed environment. Attendees mingled, watching artists work, or stepped into the sunshine for a taco or a beer. The atmosphere was one of celebrating a shared experience.

Tattoo culture has grown steadily in Lebanon in the past few years, with artists such as Marwa al-Sherif, who began tattooing two years ago, bringing new styles to the local tattoo scene. Sherif specializes in glow-in-the-dark tattoos and said her friends and her mentor were key to the development of her style. A brightly colored masked face covers her forearm, tattooed by her mentor, Elie Rahme, who was also at the festival.

Sammour, who started tattooing six years ago, noted that the number of artists and the social attitude toward tattoos in Lebanon had evolved. [At the festival] you have ... new artists introducing people to different styles and work, he said. That only reflects the growth of the business, of the market, of the culture in Lebanon. And thats perfect for us. Now we have something like a tattoo society, which is awesome.

Andrea, 19, who was getting her fourth tattoo done by Mohammad Harb of Deep Ink Tattoos, said that she thought there was still some stigma attached to being inked. It [has] changed, but its still a bit taboo in Lebanon, she said, as needles worked the design into the skin over her shoulder blade. I dont really engage with what people think though. Its my body and I want to have art on my body and thats why I get it.

Andrea added that she got her first tattoo when she was 18. I waited three years to do my first tattoo. I really thought about it before getting it.

This attitude was echoed by artists and canvases alike, who all took the hygiene, health and artistic aspects seriously. But the artists all kept slots open during the festival as requested, in case attendees were inspired on the spot.

Dani gritted his teeth in pain as Karen Klink, one of the two female artists at the festival, inked one of her designs onto his forearm. My first tattoo, I just wanted to do it randomly, Dani said, explaining that he hopes to get more.

Ghadi, 22, was grinning as his forearm was wrapped in cellophane to protect his new brick wall tattoo. Im feeling good, Im feeling very excited, he said. Right after [getting a tattoo] the whole rest of the day its like, Wow. The endorphins kick in and its great.

I try to give myself at least a year or two between getting tattoos so whenever Im about to get the next one I already feel pumped.

For Ghadi, a Lebanese artist born and raised in Abu Dhabi, each tattoo encapsulates a phase in his life. They also spark conversation. I feel very strongly about it, getting a tattoo this meaningful, he said. When I came to Lebanon five years ago, this would never have happened. In these five years you notice these changes. ... This also is like a conversation starter. I get to tell people that I got this tattoo, about my time in Lebanon, at Lebanons first tattoo festival.

For a full list of artists and links to their work, see the Lebanon Tattoo Festival page: facebook.com/lebanontattooevents.

Copyright The Daily Star 2017.