Arts & Culture

PHOTO ESSAY | Tattoo Expo 2024

Editor

by Susan Fried

Thousands of people streamed through the doors of the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall over the weekend of Aug. 16—18 for the annual Seattle Tattoo Expo. The event, which has been held for more than 20 years, features some of the world's best tattoo artists.

Tattoo aficionados wandered through aisles of tables set up in the Exhibition Hall, where they could see amazing artwork by 250 tattoo artists from all around the world. The expo also featured burlesque performances, tattoo contests, DJ sets, and the return of BurlesKaraoke. Also on hand were numerous food trucks and a variety of vendors.

Tattoo artist "Who Tattoo" from the Castro Tattoo shop in San Francisco said as far as he's concerned, the Seattle Tattoo Expo is the best tattoo convention in the country.

Check out some of the weekend's sights below.

Artists from Columbia City's own Electric Cobra Tattoo Parlor Andy Davis (left) and Phil Rolli (right) work on clients during the annual Tattoo Expo. (Photo: Susan Fried)
NW Creations tattoo artist Josh Christensen tattoos a customer's chest at the annual Tattoo Expo. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Who Tattoo, an artist from San Francisco's Castro Tattoo shop, adds some ink to a customer's leg during the Tattoo Expo at Seattle Center. He said that the Seattle Tattoo Expo was the best Tattoo convention in the country. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Bella Ryan, an artist with Laughing Buddha Tattoo in Seattle, does some fine detail work on a customer's tattoo at the annual Tattoo Expo at Seattle Center. (Photo: Susan Fried)
The three finalists in the portrait tattoo competition, placing (from left to right) first, third, and second. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Contestants in the best tattoo portrait category display their designs to the audience after showing them to the judges. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Shannon Perry of West Seattle's Tattoo Pizzazz touches her child's finger while being tattooed by Who Tattoo. (Photo: Susan Fried)
John with Pop Art Saints was one of dozens of vendors selling their wares at the annual Tattoo Expo at Seattle Center. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Best tattoo portrait judge Shawn Barber takes a closer look at a contestant's tattoo during the competition on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Tattooist Chris Alavarado from Blood Ink Tattooing in Tolleson, Arizona, works on a customer during the annual Tattoo Expo in the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Thousands of people visited the annual Tattoo Expo at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall over the weekend of Aug. 16—18, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

Featured Image: The three finalists in the tattoo portrait competition, Elsa, Robert, and Tierra, show off their tattoos to the audience while the judges decide on the winner. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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