About 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018

One of the oldest tattoo conventions in Milan (Italy) is truly a large-scale and significant event for the modern tattoo industry, uniting under the roof of the huge expo center about 400 tattoo artists from all over the world, famous tattoo models, manufacturers of tattoo equipment, numerous retailers of themed products and thousands of visitors from all over the world!

This year the event celebrated its 23rd birthday, and we could not miss this.

Visitors browse black apparel and tattoo-themed merchandise displayed on a booth at the convention inside a brightly lit exhibition hall. Crowded convention floor at 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018 with hundreds of visitors, artists and exhibitors filling the industrial expo hall.

All three days of the tattoo holiday were held in a well-coordinated rhythm under the leadership of SPACE ONE and Ketty Passa, who acted as presenters.

Milan's tattoo scene has long been recognized as one of Europe's most vibrant and innovative, drawing influences from both traditional Italian artistry and contemporary international styles. The convention serves as a crucial meeting point where established masters share knowledge with emerging talents, fostering the evolution of tattoo artistry across diverse styles and techniques. This annual gathering has become instrumental in showcasing the latest trends in tattoo culture and connecting the global tattoo community.

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Competition and Awards

The nominations program, which to tell the truth was not so extensive and varied - included only 6 thematic ones - for healed finished works and 3 daily "Best of ...", in which took part the works made during the event.

Shirtless man displaying tattoos on chest and back presents work to judges seated at red table during 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018.

The most prestigious award of the Best of Show convention was taken away by a duo of famous tattoo artists Jay Freestyle and Ryan Smith, who in two days of work turned the leg of their model into a real artwork.

Tattoo artist Jay Freestyle works on a black and grey leg piece during the 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018. At 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018, a tattoo artist holds up a sketch featuring a snake and skull design while standing next to a model displaying colorful portrait work on her leg.

Style and Technique

The convention showcased an impressive range of tattoo styles, from photorealistic portraits to intricate geometric designs, bold traditional work, and cutting-edge contemporary pieces. The winning collaboration between Jay Freestyle and Ryan Smith demonstrated the power of artistic partnership in creating large-scale tattoo projects that push the boundaries of what's possible within the time constraints of a convention setting.

Many participating artists displayed mastery in color saturation, line work precision, and composition techniques that have become hallmarks of modern tattooing. The event highlighted the technical excellence required for top-tier tattoo artistry, where proper execution and artistic vision must combine seamlessly. Artists working at such events must also demonstrate exceptional skills in time management and client comfort, as convention pieces require intensive work sessions over consecutive days.

Notable Works

The gallery above showcases the exceptional quality and diversity of artwork created during the three-day event. The winning piece by Jay Freestyle and Ryan Smith stands as a testament to collaborative artistry, demonstrating how two skilled artists can work in harmony to create a cohesive large-scale design. The works shown in the gallery represent various stages of completion, from initial outlines to fully rendered pieces, offering insight into the tattooing process during a busy convention environment.

Beyond the competition winners, the convention featured numerous impressive pieces across all categories, reflecting the high caliber of international talent present. The diversity of styles and techniques visible in the gallery demonstrates the global nature of modern tattoo culture and the continuous evolution of artistic expression within the medium. Proper aftercare becomes particularly crucial for convention pieces, given the intensive work sessions and travel requirements for many clients.

Event Highlights and Community

We congratulate participants, winners, guests and spectators of the convention!

Also, our team has prepared photo reports from each of the three days of 23rd Milano Tattoo Convention, which you can see on the links below:

February 9, 2018 - Friday
February 10, 2018 - Saturday
February 11, 2018 - Sunday

We will be glad to meet you at the brightest events of the tattoo industry!

Two tattooed women with chest and arm pieces pose at the Delab booth during 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018. Tattoo artist applies geometric linework to a client's forearm during a session at the 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018. Tattoo artist wearing a gold helmet applies ink to a heavily tattooed client at the 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018. Tattoo artist in white shirt consults with client at convention booth, with red Japanese-style tattoo designs and studio logos visible behind. Tattoo artist in black gloves works on a neck tattoo during the 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018, with a black snowflake-patterned backdrop behind them. Woman with a floral neck tattoo stands at the 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018 booth displaying colorful tattoo design samples on the wall. Tattoo artist applies ink to client's arm during a session at 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018 in a studio setting. Shaved-head man with arm tattoos gestures expressively in a studio surrounded by posters at 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018. Two men embrace in a tattoo studio; black realistic tattoos visible on chest and arm under professional convention lighting. Tattoo artist and client at 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018, with the artist displaying sleeve work on the client's arm in a studio setting. Tattoo artist in green apron applies ink to smiling client's arm during Milano Tattoo Convention 2018, with professional studio lighting and equipment visible. Tattoo artist applies a pink linework design to a client's forearm during the 23 Milano Tattoo Convention 2018 in a studio setting.