Langkawi's First International Tattoo Convention Draws Artists From Four Continents

The two-day Langkawi International Tattoo Convention closed out its run at Berjaya Langkawi Resort & Spa on Sunday, bringing artists from England, the United States, the Philippines, Singapore and across Malaysia to the island for a first-of-its-kind event its organisers hope becomes a fixture on the international convention circuit.

By Langkawi NewsMonday, 28 September 2026

A man with an extensive full-body Japanese-style tattoo covering his back, torso and legs stands at the Langkawi International Tattoo Convention's judging table, with the event's Langkawi Channel and Berjaya Langkawi Resort branding on screen behind him — Langkawi News — One of the weekend's most extensive pieces on display at the judging table — full-body dragon and tiger work spanning back, torso and leg.

Langkawi hosted its first international tattoo convention this past weekend, with artists, studios and visitors filling Berjaya Langkawi Resort & Spa for a two-day event running Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September. The convention was organised by Serious Ink Tattoo Studio and Casa DeLores Tattoo, both of Bristol, England, together with Orangutan Tattoo Studio of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah — a cross-continental pairing the organisers say reflects the event's aim of bringing an international mix of tattoo artists together on the island, and putting Langkawi on the same circuit as established Southeast Asian and Bornean tattoo conventions, including Miri's.

An organiser addresses attendees at the Langkawi International Tattoo Convention's opening ceremony, with a traditional Malay cultural performance and the event's branding screen behind her — Langkawi News — The convention's opening ceremony, with a traditional performance and the event's own branding screen — carrying the Langkawi Channel logo among its partners — behind the podium.

The roster of visiting artists stretched well beyond the organising studios themselves, with participants travelling in from the Philippines, Singapore and across Malaysia — including both Sabah and Sarawak — alongside entries from the United States and the UK, spanning styles from traditional hand-tap and hand-poke work to modern machine tattooing, black-and-grey and colour realism. Visitors could meet the participating artists directly over the two days, arranging tattoo sessions in advance or, where availability allowed, getting walk-in tattoos on the spot, with merchandise and memorabilia also on sale throughout the event. Running alongside the tattooing itself was a judged competition across both days, with Saturday's categories covering smaller colour, black-and-grey and non-machine traditional pieces and Sunday's moving to larger work plus dedicated geometric/Polynesian and Japanese-influenced categories, all feeding into an overall Best of Show award — for which the prize was a free booth at next year's Miri Tattoo Convention.

Four photos of tattoo artists at work during the convention: machine tattooing in progress, Sylvester Juli of Kenarau Tattoo Community hand-tapping a traditional Bornean design, and two more artists using hand-tap and machine technique — Langkawi News — From left: machine work in progress; Sylvester Juli of Kenarau Tattoo Community hand-tapping a traditional Bornean piece; and two more artists working by hand-tap and machine across the weekend.

A man displays a large, freshly completed colour tattoo of a tiger's face across his chest and stomach, standing in front of the convention's branding screen — Langkawi News — A finished large-colour piece on display — one of the entries in the weekend's tattoo competition.

A contestant wearing a full traditional Japanese-style bodysuit standing before the judging table as the panel photographs the work — Langkawi News — A full traditional bodysuit, from shoulders to ankles, presented before the judges on the final afternoon.

Three photos of the tattoo competition being judged: a contestant modelling a large leg tattoo before a panel of judges, the judges examining the piece closely, and two of the convention's organisers watching from the judging table — Langkawi News — Judges review one of the weekend's leg-piece entries — part of the judged competition running alongside the tattooing itself.

Two photos of tattoo competition winners posing with their trophies, each showing three people including one holding a Langkawi International Tattoo Convention 2026 award plaque — Langkawi News — Some of the weekend's trophy winners — competition prizes ran across both days, culminating in the Best of Show titles.

Langkawi Channel served as the event's local media partner. Organisers have framed the convention as a first step rather than a one-off, positioning Langkawi as a new stop for a tattoo-convention circuit that, for the organising studios themselves, already runs through Borneo and the UK.

A large group of tattoo artists, organisers and event staff pose together at the convention's closing party — Langkawi News — Artists, organisers and crew gather for a group photo as the convention's first edition wraps up.

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