Southern Ink Xposure, the biggest tattoo event in the southern hemisphere returns to Cape Town in January 2010 throwing down two nights of killer Cape Town sounds and Art Exhibitions.

The first Southern Ink Xposure (affectionately termed “SIX”) presented by SixLove Events rocked Cape Town in January this year. With attendance by more than 45 artists from over a dozen countries, amongst them some of the biggest names in international skin ink, appearances by all of South Africa’s most highly regarded artists, two art exhibitions, a charity fundraiser, two nights of live music featuring the best loved in the business, a rotation of the Mother City’s finest DJs and more than 5 500 tattoo-hungry members of the public - it was an event that left its mark on the Mother City in every way.

January 2010 looks set for a repeat performance, only on a bigger and better scale, as SixLove Events announces the second annual Southern Ink Xposure.

The 2010 Convention has almost doubled its roster of top international artists attending, once again including some of the biggest stars of international tattooing, such as Paul Booth, Bob Tyrrell, Hailin Fu (China), Nick Chaboya, Shane Munce, and Glen Paradis. And that’s not counting the local legends such as Manuela Gray, Rev. Simon White, Tyler Murphy, Milo “Mr. Lucky: Marcer and others.   

Supported by Harley-Davidson, the second annual Southern Ink Xposure will be held from January 22nd to the 24th, 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and will again comprise a series of art exhibitions, live collaborative art events, top-notch live music and of course the convention itself—all of which aim to celebrate and showcase global tattoo culture and lifestyle within a uniquely and beautifully South African context.

Highlights of SIX 2010 include:

Tattoo Art Exhibition at VANSA (Visual Arts Network of South Africa).

19-24 January, 2010.

This two-week long gallery exhibit will feature art works by artists from around the world. It explores the tattoo in a variety of mediums, with emphasis on its place as a contemporary art form.

HEARTS exhibition & auction at VANSA and the CTICC

With all the excitement generated by this year’s “SKULLS” exhibition (which premiered at the SIX gallery at the CTICC and then moved to Toronto in June with an entirely new set of pieces) organisers were hard pressed to outdo themselves for SIX 2010. In the coming months, a select group of South Africa’s leading contemporary creatives will be adding their unique adornment to some specially created pre-cast, anatomically-correct hearts with a simple brief: “interpret the medium in any way you want to.” The exhibition will premier with the Tattoo Art Exhibition at VANSA, and will then be blind-auctioned with all proceeds raised going to charity.

Artist Meet and Greet at Anton Anreith Square

21 January, 2010

This event serves to give our international guests a taste of South African hospitality. A traditional braai will be laid out for the artists where they’ll have a chance to mingle with local artists, event organisers and sponsors. Guest musicians Lonesome Dave Ferguson and Them Tornados will be performing special “unplugged” sets. Event partners, Harley-Davidson will also be displaying their newest range of bikes and other bits of drool-inducing hardware.

SIX 2010 - opens to the public at the CTICC

Friday 22 – Sunday 24 January

Cape Town International Convention Centre

Over 8 000 people are expected to pass through the doors of the CTICC to observe some of the world’s best tattoo artists working their magic on a tattoo hungry South African public. Giant AV screens will broadcast live events such as competitions, videos, live interviews and convention images.

Rock Like You Roll - Concert Night at Mercury Live & Lounge

Friday 22 January

This event was sold out at the first Southern Ink Xposure. Mercury Live & Lounge again plays host to the Friday night concert evening for SIX. This year’s musical entertainment will be provided by exceptional live acts, including The Ragdolls, Taxi Violence, The Mochines, Throatball and a special guest or two!

“Man’s Ruin” – The Assembly (61 Harrington Street, east city precinct)

Saturday 23 January

Attended by local and international celebs, this big, big night of musical mayhem and much merriment at The Assembly rolls forth with a stellar line-up of rockabilly, reggae and rattlesnake rock provided by the supreme song prowess of Cape Town’s bad-boy blues singers The Tornados amidst the ever-green riddims of scene stalwarts The Rudimentals amongst the leather ‘n chrome-clad glam-swag of Damn Right with a return to stage from the world-famous rude-rockers The Mochines, plus a swing thing or two from special guest DJs like DJ Buck Wild and oh-so-special friends.

Entrance to each music event is R60 at the door or free entrance to those with Southern Ink Xposure Weekend Passes (available now for R250).

Other noteworthy attractions of SIX 2010:

Giant video screens and a state-of-the-art sound system with images manipulated live by VJ virtuoso Inka.

Children’s Art Area – Southern Ink Xposure offers parents a supervised children’s area where paints and canvases will be available allowing the little ones to express and explore their creative energies. “Tallulah’s Tattoo Colouring Book” will make another return.

Convention tickets and event details are available at www.capetattooconvention.co.za Tickets will be available from select outlets around the country from December 01, 2009. Single day admission is R120 and a weekend pass is R250 which allows unlimited access to the convention for all three days and free entrance to the concerts.

More information can be found at the event’s website: www.capetattooconvention.co.za or via the event’s Facebook and Twitter updates.

The event’s media partner is one small seed magazine, and updates, exclusive videos, blogs and competitions can be found on the one small seed network site www.onesmallseed.net.