Body art festival back in Norwich

Mark Shields Thursday, August 9, 2012
1:42 PM

Tattoos, piercings and all things body art will be celebrated next weekend when the Norwich Body Art Festival returns to the city.

Alison Marshal has a tattoo done by Bruno Jardim at the 2011 Body Art Festival at St Andrew's Hall. Picture: Denise Bradley

Prices have been reduced for the fourth annual festival, which aims to show that the best artists may work with a tattoo gun instead of a paintbrush and the best canvas could be the human body.

As well as more than 70 tattoo artists from around the world, attractions at the St Andrew’s Hall festival on August 18 and 19 include a traditional Japanese hand-tapping artist, cabaret acts and live music. Norwich-born artist Paul Roe will also return to his home city, having made a name for himself by establishing a shop in Washington DC and running tattoo community website Tattoodles.com.

Co-organiser Emma Garwood said the weekend was “a celebration of expression” with graffiti and screen-print artists working alongside piercers and tattooists.

She said: “It widens your eyes for the weekend, seeing people with their different piercings, hairstyles and tattoos.

“Even for those who don’t want to get tattooed, there are plenty of other things going on. We’re just keen to brighten up Norwich for a weekend in August.”

Stalls including Rock Collection and Beaujangles, hoop artists, mind readers and live music including Johnny Cash tribute, Sun of Cash, The Vagaband and DJ Jazzlord also feature.

The festival runs from noon to 8pm and day passes are £10 for adults or £5 for under-16s.