Magical Tattooing Exhibition; Anthropologist and Archeologist Lars Krutak has spent the past 15 years researching the culture that connected tattoo, ritual, religion, myth, and nature from which indigenous tattoo culture ultimately sprang. He spent three years studying the symbolism and tattooing practices in the Arctic from 1996, before becoming researcher for the National Museum at the American Indian and then for the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. The Magical Tattooing Exhibition presents a series of  beautiful photos taken by Lars Krutak over the last 15 years. (www.larskrutak.com)

Swallow Tattoo Studio Exhibition; One of the most famous studios in modern Tattoo history, (since the invention of the modern twin-coil electro-magnetic tattoo needle was patented by one Samuel O’Reilly in 1891, an Irish-American tattoist working out of a barber’s shop on Chatham Square in New York), is the Swallow Tattoo Studio in Hong Kong. Swallow, (Lai Shue Keung), was born in China in 1931, but moved to Hong Kong with his family when he was 15 years old. He was taken on as an apprentice by the legendary Rose Tattoo Studio as a teenager, when owner James Ho. Swallow, who opened his own studio in 1963, amassed a huge collection of old-style flash images of popular tattoos from 1950 up to the late 1970’s, when the last naval fleets left Hong Kong. British photographer Chris Wroblewski, who has documented the thousands of flash images of military insignia, beautiful pin-ups, tigers, lions, panthers and dragons from the Swallow Tattoo Studio, published in his book, ‘Swallow Tattoo Studio Hong Kong (1963 – 1998)’, will present an unmissable, massive collection of photographs of these images. (www.chriswroblewski.com)

Burlesque Dancers; Sexy, fascinating Burlesque dancing is more popular than ever before. A cabaret show born in Victorian England in the 1800’s, it became popular among the lower classes, often satirising the upper classes. The internationally famous stars of Burlesque, Scarlet Daggers and Billy Ray, will thrill with their glamorous performances at different times on the main stage of the Tattoo Convention. (www.scarlettdaggers.com)

El Rana Exhibition; Italian artist Simone El Rana, will display a wide variety of his amazing ‘Ex Voto’ objects, (usually hearts, offered to a deity, typical of neo-Latin countries). These are unique, one of a kind pieces in different formats, using the most eclectic media, including wooden boxes, decorated frames, skateboards and guitars combined with the typical icons of traditional tattoo (the sacred heart, the razor, etc…) as well as antique objects that are used as splendid frames for these pieces. (www.el-rana.com)

The Oxford British Tattoo History Museum; A historical  / anthropological exhibition of tattoo art objects amassed by Oxford British Tattoo History Museum founder and curator Lionel Titchener, who began collecting in 1975, will feature numerous ancient tattoo machines and a wide variety of tools used over the ages – from, for example, a small, carved Japanese bone to an old Roman tool of the 4th century BC.

Jesse Lee Denning; An artist from New York, tattoo enthusiast and owner of Invisible NY City, the famous art gallery and tattoo studio in Manhattan, is the Calendar Girl who will take the readers of Tattoo Energy through the year 2011. Her great body decorated with Oriental tattoos mixed with pieces that remind her of her life will take us through the 12 photos of the calendar showing her amazing looks, the shadows of the body and the movement of tattoos on skin. “The girl next door”, sunny and beautiful, in real life as in the photos, will be at the Tattoo Life booth to sign the copy of your calendar! An appointment not to miss… (www.myspace.com/invisinyc)

The Graffiti Kings are a collective of well known and respected artists who, as a unit, promote graffiti as a positive art form. “We see street art as the twin sister of tattooing and our work is certainly infused with imagery from the tattoo world. We look forward to being influenced by everyone at the London Tattoo Convention and putting our own compelling twist on the event.” (www.graffitikings.co.uk)

Les Soeurs Tribales, The premier Italian professional Tribal Belly Dance company, a trio of sensual dancers who mix elements of tribal belly dancing with contemporary dance, exploring fusion and improvisation, will perform on the main stage at various times over the three days of the convention. (www.lessoeurstribales.com)

The Visionary; An incredible collection of black and white images of traditional tattoo culture captured by photographer Edgar Hoill, also known as OSOK (One Shot One Kill). From the gritty borders of Mexico, to the slums of Cuba, Hoill has captured some of the most notorious images from all walks of life - from gangland imagery in the poverty ridden streets of Los Angeles to the high-profile organized crime bosses of the Yakuza in Japan; he’s never missed a shot, nor shaken a frame, thus the moniker. (www.myspace.com/osokill#ixzz0v0WHzaVr)

The biggest show of all, however, will, as ever, be that offered by the visitors themselves, who become the lead characters when they compete in the tattoo contests for different categories, such as Best Tribal, Best Backpiece, Best Black & Grey, Best Colours and Best of Show.

For more info check www.thelondontattooconvention.com from which tickets are available, priced at £20 per day for Friday, £25 for Saturday, £20 for Sunday or £50 for a three day pass.