NO RAGRETS: Showcase Your Terrible Tatts At The ‘Sh*ttest Tattoo Competition’

If you've ever walked out of a tattoo shop thinking, "She'll be right," only to realise your new ink looks like a Picasso painting gone rogue, then the Australian Tattoo Expo in Melbourne has just the thing for you.

This December 1-3, get ready to roll up your sleeves and proudly display your dodgy tatts at the Shittest Tattoo Competition.

While the Expo usually parades a smorgasbord of top-notch ink from over 400 artists, they've added a cheeky competition celebrating those "what was I on about?" moments in tattooing. It’s the perfect occasion to show off that tattoo you got on a dare, or the one that seemed like a ripper idea after a few too many beers.

The event’s international judging panel for the various tattoo art competitions include talents like Brazilian scar tattoo specialist Karlla Mendes, Italian abstract artist Peste, and New York’s colour realism expert Khan Tattoo, will also witness this unique contest that’s all about celebrating all facets of tattoo culture – the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious.

Apart from the laughs at the Shittest Tattoo Competition, the event is jam-packed with other activities. Fancy a surprise ink? Dive arm-first into the Dr Pickles Tattoo Glory Hole and see what fate (and a random tattoo artist) has in store for you.

Or, if you're feeling lucky, snag a free tattoo from celeb inkster Lauren Winzer, who will be offering free walk-up flash tattoos all weekend. Among her star-studded clients include Hollywood’s biggest names like Post Malone, Sophie Turner, Miley Cirus, Toni Collette, Cody Smith and Joe Jonas.

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But the expo is not just about the ink — it’s also chockers with entertainment, from fire shows from Flux Entertainment to DJs as well as a kids' corner to keep the little ones entertained with activities like hair braiding and tattoo colouring booths, photo booths or even say hello to a real-life snake and its tamer, Ferri Maya.

So, if your tattoo is more of a facepalm than a masterpiece (or you’d just like to check ou the show), head on down to the Australian Tattoo Expo for your chance to turn that ink regret into ink respect while checking out all that the Australian Tattoo Expo has to offer.

The Australian Tattoo Expo in Melbourne runs from December 1-3, 2023. Tickets start at just $50 here.