Artwork in sharp focus

DEAN KOZANIC/The Press

MARKED MAN: Kyle Dyhrberg, of Wellington, works on a customers knee at the South Island New Zealand Tattoo and Art Expo at Riccarton Park yesterday.

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Bodies of art were on show yesterday at the South Island New Zealand Tattoo Expo.

Baz Crumb, 52, was there to add a "crazy clown" to the tattoos he has had done since he was 16.

Crumb said technology had advanced tattooing since he was young.

"Tattooing as an art form is fantastic now – the inks and designs have changed so much.

"They are artists, no doubt about that," he said.

"The expo is held every two years and all the best artists are here in one spot."

The expo, at Christchurch's Riccarton Park Conference Centre, features 58 exhibitors from around the country, as well as roller-derby skaters, hot rods, international guests, comedy acts and tattoo competitions.

Crumb, who won the Best Tattoo Done On the Day Award at the last two expos, said tattoos were becoming more popular with young people.

"It's changed. A lot of celebrities get tattoos now and it has a huge impact on younger people," he said.

Carl Cocker, a tattoo artist and exhibitor, said sports stars with traditional body art had boosted the popularity of cultural designs, enabling him to specialise in Polynesian tattoos.

The expo will run until tomorrow.