A Kaohsiung tattoo artist has won four first-place awards at two international tattoo conventions.
Wu Hung-ching (吳竑慶) earlier this month attended two major international tattoo competitions in the UK: the Titanic Tattoo Convention in Belfast and the Portsmouth International Tattoo Convention.
Wu won first place in four events, beating 200 competitors from around the world.
Photo: Huang Chia-lin, Taipei Times
The conventions are considered to be among the most notable gatherings for tattoo artists to compare their skills, bringing recognition and credibility to the winners, organizers said.
Because of the fame that the competition brings to winners, competitors flock to the annual events, despite organizers not covering travel expenses and accommodation or offering prize money.
This year’s competition attracted tattoo artists from the US, Japan, France, Spain and China, among other nations.
Wu traveled with two other artists, as well as tattoo models, with expenses totaling NT$200,000 per person.
At the Portsmouth convention, Wu took first place in the large black-and-white image competition, while at the Titanic convention he took first place in the large traditional image contest.
He was also awarded the overall first prize at both events.
After returning to Taiwan, Wu said tattoos are no longer limited to subcultures and have come to represent art and mainstream culture.
After winning the competitions, Wu took the opportunity of being in the spotlight to promote Taiwanese culture and invite international competitors to the Taiwan International Tattoo Art Convention in Kaohsiung in March next year.
He said he hopes that Taiwan’s “soft power” will continue to draw attention on the world stage.
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