Tattoo Art In the Philipines - Dutdutan

Dutdutan: (doot-doot-ahn) - a Tagalog word meaning to continually insert or jab.

Now on it’s 11th year, Dutdutan is now synonymous with tattoo art in the Philippines. At least that’s how a lot of tattoo enthusiasts in the country would like to view it.

For the 15,000 or so who congregated at the World Trade Center in Manila on August 26 and 27, the biggest tattoo show this side of the earth is also a definition of the alternative lifestyle that they have chosen.

But according to the organizers, tattoo art was not always part of the alternative scene. Native Filipinos have a rich history of tattoo art dating back to pre-colonial dates. In fact, when the Spaniards first got here, they were greeted with a heavily tattooed Visayan tribe and they called the islands “La Isla De Los Pintados” meaning the “Island of the Painted Ones.”



Christianity and western culture eventually supplanted that practice and not until we fast forward to the 90s do we see the rebirth of skin art.

The man and talent behind that is Ricky Sta. Ana, who started the yearly gathering with a small group of tattoo artists and customers. Eleven years later and supported by a major alternative lifestyle brand, Tribal Gear, the show has now taken on a bigger vision.

It is now a convention, known in the skin art circle around the world and they are even able to bring in the best tattoo artists from around the world to prove that. Underlying this achievement is the organizers’ cause to eliminate the stigma of skin art as taboo, since it has always appealed to the rebel crowd and the unconventional.

The Second Annual Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash

The Second Annual Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash (Atlantic City, New Jersey), presented by Rebel Image Tattoo, takes place Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11 inside the Wildwoods Convention Center Exhibit Hall – an event perfect for tattoo enthusiasts, as well as those interested in the unique art form of tattooing and body art design.

The Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash will bring the body art community to the Wildwoods for a weekend full of events. The ‘bash’ will host major national tattoo artists, as well as activities including: tattoo contests, a traveling tattoo museum, seminars, art exhibits, door prizes and more. Celebrity tattoo artist Tim Hendricks from TLC's New York Ink will be in attendance at the event.

It all comes down to who is going to be there. The Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash has confirmed that many great names in the industry will be in attendance. Philadelphia Eddie (Crazy Eddie) very well known in the Wildwood are, and also world famous, will be at the show signing his books, Eddie is an Icon within the industry.

Tim Hendricks of Saltwater Tattoo who is a celebrity artist on TLC's NY Ink and he'll be tattooing on a walk-up basis. Also tattooing at the convention will be Bob Tyrrells out of Detroit. Bob Tyrrells has done work on Kid Rock, and is a highly esteemed traveling artist who previously worked under the legendary Tom Renshaw. When asked by bikeweek.com about rumors that Corey Miller might show, Siderio declined to confirm or deny the possibility.

Also, be sure to check out the rarely seen Japanese Hand Method of Tebori Tattooing on display. Hours for the Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash are: Friday, September 9 – Noon-10 p.m.; Saturday, September 10 – 10 a.m. -10 p.m.; and Sunday, September 11 – 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Wildwood Convention Center is located at 4501 Boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey.

*** Artists who plan to attend can register by contacting Mike at wildwoodtattoobeachbash@comcast.net