The Singapore Tat2 Convention 2010 held last month was a blast as we had fun making new friends and knowing more about their industry. One of them was the good people from Room 101. plussixfive had the opportunity to have a chat with Matt Booth, Founder of Room 101, as he shared with us his take on the industry, inspiration, and possible ventures into Singapore. Read the full interview below.
The Interview
Is Room101 looking to expand its brand to Singapore?
We’re interested for sure. I think the quality and level of retail and presentation here is top notch, I mean on a global scale.
When you design your jewellery, where do you draw your inspiration from?
A lot of the inspirations behind my designs come from sculptures that I’ve seen from Japan and Noh Theatre (Traditional Japanese Theatre), masks, Buddhist deities and sculptures outside of temples. But you know, my executive collection is all geometric shapes, patterns, things like that. More contemporary, modern contemporary.
So do you do a lot of travelling to places like Japan and Thailand because of the Temples that they have?
I’ve seen temples in Thailand, but their sculptures are different. Every country kind of represents the same characters differently. And I definitely connect more with the Japanese representation.
Veteran Fine Branding & Traditional hand Tattoo Artist Marc Pinto speaks to the dilightful Renee of Tattooink.tv and the recent Singapore Tattoo Show 2010.
Tattooink.tv had a huge start to the new year as their crews had their bags packed and their passports ready to head out and catch all the action from Singapore to Surfers.
First stop was Singapore Tat2 Show where some of the biggest names were. See our interviews with Bob Tyrrell, Chris Garver, Kim Saigh, Room 101’s Matt Booth and Australia’s own Mick Squires
Then on the road and up the highway to Surf’n’Ink International Tattoo Convention on the Gold Coast. There the Australian Artists rocked it out with the Internationals and Tattoos were the winners on the day.
What’s hotter than a gal with a tattoo? 10 gals with tattoos, of course! Check out all the finalists of Miss Tattoo Asia 2010 held at the Singapore Tat2 Show. video credits Klik.tv & izreloaded – Editor of Klik.TV who wishes he was Bumblebee – Photo credits: Wizards of Light Singapore.
The Portraits –
Note: Sasha Flew into Singapore from Thailand for the event so was unable to attend the pre-event photo shoot.
Kim’s tattoo career began the day she received her first tattoo at the age of 16. She remembers wanting to take the machine out of the guy’s hand and do it herself, and ended up backseat driving the tattoo. Two years later, her dream of holding the machine became a reality when she was offered an apprenticeship based on a drawing for a friend’s tattoo.
Kim opened Cherry Bomb Tattoo after several years, and went on the star in reality TV series L.A. Ink. She is now a well-respected artist in the tattoo trade which she has been part of for 16 years.
Despite being a self-confessed metal head, Kim cultivated a deep passion for yoga over the years, and has even called it her ‘saving grace’.
The Singapore Tat2 Show 2010 will be Kim Saigh’s first Show in Singapore, and she is looking forward to being this year’s Show Ambassador.
Flash your Tats at the Singapore Tattoo Show 2010 and you could be one of the many FACES in the coverage of the Singapore Tattoo Show by Tattooink.tv. Have a global audience admire your pride and joy tattoo/s – see you at the show.
Meet Noel Boyd http://www.noelboyd.com Singapore’s leading blogger for anything Tattoos – his latest achievements now include becoming the official blogger for the 2nd Singapore Tattoo Show this comes on top of his blogger of the month position on nuffnang.com and a soon to be released online Tattoo TV program where Noel is the Host – blogging brings rewards if you persist – read on…
1. How long have you been blogging about tattoos & Bodyart and what made you start ?
I started blogging in late 2005 so I guess it’s been four years coming to five. I’m the sort of guy that needs to voice his opinion every now and then and having a blog allows me to do just that. Also, I wanted to share my love for tattoos with not just only bodyart lovers but with also the average Singaporean. My main aim then was for my fellow Singaporeans to view tattoos and various other forms of bodyart in a different light.
2. Where will Blogging about Tattoos & Bodyart take you in the future ?
You know Andrew, initially I had no idea where this road will take me. All I knew is that I wanted to do this. If somehow had told me back in 2005 that I would receive the many wonderful opportunities that I have been getting, I would have laughed in their faces!
So yeah, this month alone I am the featured blogger on Nuffnang, I am writing for Mediacorp’s Mother & Baby magazine and I’m hosting an internet show about body art. I don’t know what the future has in store for me but I’m sure I’ll be at a good place.
3. Do you think social media has had a positive impact on the Tattoo industry & artists ?
It sure has! With lesser restrictions than traditional media, we get to say what we want and get the word out. But of course social media needs to be used in a good and constructive manner. So far it’s been nothing but GOOD GOOD GOOD! I would highly recommend artists to use social media to promote themselves and their business. It’s the way to go and the results show for itself.
4. What was the first Tattoo you got for yourself, how many tattoos in total do you have now ?
It was in my teenage years when I got my first tattoo. I’m a scorpio so I got a tiny scorpion tattooed on my arm. It didn’t cost much and it ended up looking like crap! If you are a teenager, please listen to my advise. You’ve probably heard this a million times but I’m gonna say it. DON’T rush into getting a tattoo and please for heavens sake wait till you are 18 years old. I’m lucky because I don’t regret getting inked. But if you look around, there are way too many folks who got inked young that kinda regret getting tattooed. Now that sucks!
How many tattoos? Man, I don’t know where to start. There’s way too many to count now. Does a full sleeve count as one tattoo or is it each design on the sleeve?! Hahaha. Let’s just say I have enough but with room for more.
5. Do you regret getting any of your tattoos ?
Thankfully no. Not even with the scorpion tattoo. It was an eye opener and an experience that I will never forget. To me, that’s priceless. I’ve been blessed with choosing the right designs and I look at each tattoo differently. All my tattoos were done in different stages of my life so all of them mean something. Amen!
6. Do you have Tattoo Artists you admire & why ?
This may sound cliché but I think the cast of Miami Ink rock! Their show changed the mindset of millions of people around the world. My parents don’t have tattoos but they watched and liked the show. Miami Ink helped our cause in educating the general public about tattoos. That it ain’t just about gangsters or criminals with ink. I admire them for that and I also thank them from the bottom of my heart.
7. Can you tell me what are the changes that have happened in the tattoo industry that you have seen ?
For starters, our local artists are finally getting the recognition they deserve. The Singapore Tattoo Show does just that for them. It’s not just about having a venue with booths. The Singapore Tattoo Show is a medium for our local boys and girls to shine. Well to me, it doesn’t get any better than that…
Also, Singaporeans are more acceptive to tattoos now than say 5 years ago. There’s still a lot more work to be done but we are heading in the right direction.With that said, you can walk Orchard Road on any given day and I guarantee that you will see a good number of tattoos. Singaporeans are flaunting their ink and that’s always nice to see.
But erm…it’s also good to hear that our local artists are traveling the world either tattooing at a convention or guest starring at a foreign studio. These guys are flying our flag wherever they go. Simply put, they are representing Singapore in what they do best!
8. Where do you see the tattoo industry heading ?
It’s funny because I was just asking myself the same question the other day! I would like to think that foreigners don’t look at Singapore as another destination in Asia for cheap tattoos anymore. We are fast becoming a tattoo hub in Asia where if you want a good tattoo done, this is the place to come to. With all things Singapore, give us a few more years and some of our artists will be among the best in the world. But for that to happen, they need all the support they can get. Be it from their customers, government agencies or their families. But it can be done!
9. What are you hoping to get from the Singapore Tattoo Show ?
I plan on having fun at the show. I mean, that is what blogging is supposed to be about. I plan to meet and interview some very cool people. Readers of my blog can look forward to live updates from the venue hall, exclusive pictures and interviews with some of the best artists alive today!
Singapore Tattoo Show 2010
it’s on again the Singapore Tattoo Show -Tat2 2010 Jan 8 to 10 Bigger & Louder. For more info here are some links – http://facebook.com/tattoopride http://www.tattoo.com.sghttp://twitter.com/tattoopride With guest appearances by Kim Saigh (LA ink), Tim Hendricks (Gold Rush tattoo), Michelle Myles (Daredevil tattoo and winner of TLCs Tattoo War Competition at the 6th Annual Boston Tattoo Convention), Shige (Yellow Blaze Tattoo, Japan) and returning to this show again will be Chris Garver (Miami ink) and Bob Tyrell (Night Gallery). Also attending the show will be VIP guest, Matt Booth, celebrity jewellery designer and owner of Room101 who is also the guest judge for this upcoming years tattoo show with Room101 being the major sponsor for this event and introducing Paypal who is also sposnoring the event for the very first time.- video production courtesy: http://tattooink.tv
Deriving from the Polynesian word tatau, the English language loaned this word and eventually the spelling was changed to fit the pronunciation of the English phonology, to tattoo. Tattoos have very different reactions on different people. Some outright frown upon it and some are avid collectors of them. Especially in recent times, it has been more and more well received by the general public compared to a couple of years ago. It is not for no reason that some people have distasted tattoos. Due to religion or historical reasons, tattoos can be a negative reminder of the things that happened to people. And in some countries, tattoos are used as a marking of identification to a certain gang, and that naturally result in the general public having a biased opinion on tattoos.
With guest appearances by Kim Saigh (LA ink), Tim Hendricks (Gold Rush tattoo), Michelle Myles (Daredevil tattoo and winner of TLCs Tattoo War Competition at the 6th Annual Boston Tattoo Convention), Shige (Yellow Blaze Tattoo, Japan) and returning to this show again will be Chris Garver (Miami ink) and Bob Tyrell (Night Gallery). Also attending the show will be VIP guest, Matt Booth, celebrity jewellery designer and owner of Room101 who is also the guest judge for this upcoming years tattoo show with Room101 being the major sponsor for this event and introducing Paypal who is also sposnoring the event for the very first time.- video production courtesy: http://tattooink.tv
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