COMPETITION CATEGORIES 2024
1. Old school/Traditional – Freshly Done
2. Old school/Traditional – Healed
3. Neotraditional – Freshly Done
4. Neotraditional – Healed
5. Newschool – Freshly Done
6. Newschool – Healed
7. Ethnic Tattoo (tribal, blackwork, geometry, classic Japanese tattoo) – Freshly Done
8. Ethnic Tattoo (tribal, blackwork, geometry, classic Japanese tattoo) – Healed
9. Black and grey Sur/Realistic Tattoo – Freshly Done
10. Black and grey Sur/Realistic Tattoo – Healed
11. Colored Sur/Realistic Tattoo – Freshly Done
12. Colored Sur/Realistic Tattoo – Healed
13. Graphic Tattoo (etchings, fineline, trash polka, watercolor) – Freshly Done Large (above A5 format)
14. Graphic Tattoo (etchings, fineline, trash polka, watercolor) – Freshly Done Small (maximum A5 format)
15. Graphic Tattoo (etchings, fineline, trash polka, watercolor) – Healed
16. 90s Tattoo
17. Two-day Tattoo
18. Cooperation
19. Best of Show
COMPETITION RULES 2024
Terms of Submitting Tattoos:
1. Tattoos submitted to categories marked as “freshly done” must be done exclusively during the festival and on its premises. Tattoos started earlier or refreshed will not be accepted. They must be tattoos done within one day, regardless of whether it’s Saturday or Sunday.
2. Tattoos submitted to categories marked as “healed” must be fully healed.
3. Categories 16 and 17 (“Two-day Tattoo” and “Cooperation”) will be held on Sunday at the end of the day exclusively for tattoos freshly done during the festival.
4. Each tattoo can only be submitted to one category.
5. Tattoos done by multiple people during the event can only be submitted in the “Cooperation” category.
6. Tattoos in the “Cooperation” category can be done over one or two days.
7. In the “Best of Show” category, a tattoo will be chosen from all first-place winners in categories marked as “freshly done” from Saturday and Sunday.
Registration and Verification:
1. Registration for the contest for a given day starts daily at 10:30 a.m.
2. Entries for a specific category are accepted no later than 15 minutes before the start of that category.
3. At the time of registration, the tattoo or its photo must be shown for preliminary verification. The organizer has the right to refuse the submission of a tattoo that does not meet the criteria of the category or presents a too low level.
Box Requirements:
1. There is no requirement to have a booth to submit a healed tattoo.
2. To submit a freshly done tattoo, it is a necessary condition to have a purchased booth.
Prizes:
1. Announcement of results in all categories and distribution of prizes for the day will take place at 8:15 p.m.
2. An additional prize for the tattoo distinguished as “Best of Show” is a two-person box at the Brussell Tattoo Convention 2024.
3. The additional reward for the tattoo awarded first place in the “Ethnic Tattoo (tribal, blackwork, geometry, classic Japanese tattoo) healed” category is a two-person box at Akonventional – Ancona Tattoo Expo 2024.
Final Provisions:
1. The person submitting a tattoo to the contest declares that they have familiarized themselves with the contest rules and the specific category.
2. In case of flagrant violation of the rules by a participant, disqualification and revocation of the prize decision may be imposed. In such a situation, the organizer will inform about the situation through all their broadcasting channels (Facebook, Instagram, newsletter) and select a new winner.
3. The organizer has the final decision-making authority on contentious issues and the interpretation of the regulations.
4. Contest participants, understood as creators and models, consent to the publication of their works for promotional purposes.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION
Technical Aspects:
– Outlines: Evaluation of precision, cleanliness, and consistency of lines throughout the entire work.
– Shading: How evenly and accurately colored areas or shadows (including peppershading) are filled.
– Color Scheme: Assessment of color harmony, saturation, and blends/tonal transitions.
Composition:
– Anatomy: How well the tattoo fits the anatomical shapes of the body.
– Proportions and Perspective: Evaluation of how well the work reflects the anatomical proportions of the body and how faithfully it portrays depth and perspective in the design. *if applicable
– Details: Assessment of fine details and elements in the tattoo. *if applicable
– Flow and Movement in the Tattoo: Dynamics of the pattern and flow. *if applicable
Design:
– Originality: Uniqueness and creativity of the design, ingenuity in interpreting the theme or style, artistic merits of the work.
DESCRIPTION OF CATEGORIES
JURY – BASIC PANEL
Magdalena Hipner
Professional since 2015. Specializes in graphic tattooing, based on whip shading, dotwork, and contouring. Her works are characterized by the perfect balance of black and incredibly skillful construction through varied tonalities and textures. She runs her own studio in Zielona Góra. In her works, she focuses on an individual approach and creates only original projects based on inspiration from clients.
Katarzyna Kejti Dumka
Master of Arts, graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. In 2015, she defended her master’s thesis in hand drawing. In the industry for almost 8 years. You can meet her at “Opium Tattoo” in Toruń on a daily basis, unless she is participating in a convention. Over the past 3 years, she has won an impressive number of 27 awards, many of them in collaboration with other artists. Throughout her tattooing journey, she has explored many styles. Her works, characterized by vibrant colors and a combination of different styles, from realism to simple, bold cartoonish outlines, have gained recognition both in the industry and among clients, and have also secured her a place in the jury at other conventions in Poland and Europe.
Bartosz Panas
Bartosz Panas is a respected tattoo artist, winner of many awards, especially in the field of spectacular and elaborate neotraditional compositions. His tattooing career has lasted for 20 years, during which he has gone through a long, intense, and hard-working journey, constantly deepening his passion for tattoos. The evolution of his style over the years is visible, starting from realistic works in shades of gray, to mastering the characteristic, smoky neotrad with a subtle touch of realism. His tattoos are not only an expression of talent but also of rich experience and a continuous pursuit of perfection.
Davee
Tattoo artist for over 20 years. He started with mural painting. A specialist in large compositions covering entire backs or fronts, done mainly freehand directly on the skin. His works have a unique character. Davee draws inspiration from various tattoo styles, including traditional Japanese tattooing “wabori,” which he has been studying for over 15 years, as well as old school, newschool, and neotrad. Passionately creates Japanese-style tattoos, interpreting them in his own unique way, combining graffiti elements and pop culture motifs. As a tattoo nomad, he has been traveling since 2001, constantly seeking new inspirations and artistic challenges.
Radek Nikson Rożek
Nikson has been shaping the tattoo industry for over two decades. His area of expertise is black and gray realism, in which he has achieved a unique level of mastery. He is distinguished not only by precision and attention to detail but also by rich experience gained over the years. Despite the passage of time, his passion for tattooing has not waned; on the contrary, it continues to evolve and refine his skills.
JURY – EXPERTS
Sławomir Nitschke // Old school/Traditional
He was born and lives in Poznań. A graduate of an art high school and the painting department at UAP (University of Arts in Poznań). He has been tattooing for 15 years. For the past 12 years, he has been running the “Czaszka i Sztylet” studio. He has been interested in tattooing since childhood. He has had the opportunity to work in many studios worldwide and regularly invites tattoo artists from abroad to our country.
“In traditional tattooing, as the name suggests, I am interested in tradition. The theme, adaptation of classic motifs, their history, and selection of means. This is mainly what I pay attention to, although I am very open to various twists and innovations. It’s not just about copying old patterns but also about bringing even a slight intervention of a new spirit into old frames.”
Piotr Gie // Neotraditional
For over 13 years, Piotr has been dedicated to the art of tattooing with passion, specializing mainly in Neotraditional style. He is a participant in many international events, repeatedly awarded for his works. Currently, he can be found at the “Fala” tattoo studio in Koszalin.
“When judging works, my attention first focuses on composition. Adapting the design to a specific body part is crucial, and even a small piece can make a great impression and a “wow” effect! The flow of the motif, i.e., how it flows on the skin, is also extremely important to me. I also cannot forget about technical aspects. For me, clean, solid lines are the basis of successful work, and equally important is smooth color blending. These elements determine the quality of execution.”
Janusz Więckowski // Newschool
Janusz took his first steps in the industry almost 18 years ago. He gained the basics of artistic craftsmanship and knowledge of composition and colors at an art school. His fascination with graffiti was another stop in his journey before venturing into tattooing. Consistently refining his style over the years, his distinctive lines, style, and colors are recognizable at first glance.
“When judging tattoos, I pay special attention to the originality of the work and unconventional, surprising approaches to the subject. Composition, perspective, and playing with form are crucial to me. While I particularly appreciate references to graffiti, it’s not a priority criterion in my evaluation of tattoos. Inspirations from comics or cartoon characters should be executed based on one’s interpretation to give the tattoo its unique character. Creativity is definitely something I highly value, and I will certainly seek it out in every piece.”
Krzysztof Krajewski // Ethnic Tattoo (tribal, blackwork, geometry, classic Japanese tattoo)
Krzysztof has been tattooing for 12 years, honing his technique and experience, particularly in geometric tattooing. He has won numerous awards from various tattoo events. He currently works at “Nice and Easy Tattoo” studio in Warsaw. His first convention was Tattoofest in 2015, and this year he will be a jury expert.
“The ethnic tattoo category combines styles that operate with varying degrees of graphical techniques. When judging tattoos, I typically consider how many techniques have been used in their execution. Therefore, selecting the best works will be a challenge. For healed tattoos, large compositions will likely dominate, and the starting point for evaluation will be how well the tattoo complements the body, its visual interest from every angle, how it moves with the body, and the distribution of details on the skin. Freshly made tattoos, due to limited time, will be smaller, but anatomical suitability remains significant. From experience, I know that in all “fresh” categories, the size of the tattoo is not as important as the precision of execution and thoughtful design to showcase one’s design and technical skills in a single session.”
Michał Wurszt // Colored Sur/Realistic Tattoo
Michał, known for his vibrant and expressive works, started his tattooing journey at the end of 2017. He graduated from the State School of Fine Arts in Kielce. He has won dozens of awards individually and in collaboration with other artists. He specializes in surrealistic tattoos.
“In tattoos, I will certainly pay attention to thoughtful composition, color selection, and appropriate contrast. It’s important to me that award-winning works are precise, thoroughly executed, and stand out from others.”
Jarek „Goraj” Gorajek // Black and grey Sur/Realistic Tattoo
Undoubtedly one of the best specialists in black and gray realistic tattooing. Diligent, precise in his work, and focused on perfectionism, he gained experience not only in his studio but also during numerous travels and guest spots. He has set the bar high for himself and invited collaborating artists during competitions and conventions.
“When judging competition works, I will pay attention to proper composition that enhances the body part, cleanliness of work, inclusion of details and textures that enhance realism. The idea matters too, transferring the whole design onto the skin.”
Timur Lysenko // Graphic Tattoo
Timur has been tattooing for nearly two decades. His surrealistic style and excellent technique have made him one of the leading tattoo artists. Focusing mainly on the visual layer, he uses characteristic color blends, contributing to his recognizability. Timur’s style, based on surrealistic botanical, animal, and abstract motifs, creates a unique visual language.
Sławek Frączek // 90s Tattoo
One of the pioneers of the Polish tattoo scene, Sławek has been involved in tattooing since 1991. He is known for promoting indigenous tattooing in Poland and abroad. He is the co-organizer of the First International “Megatattoo” Festival in 1998, which undoubtedly influenced the Polish tattoo scene. He has been the longtime chairman of the Tattoofest Convention jury.
“My tattooing awareness was shaped in the 90s, a period of turbulent cultural and social changes, where the lack of competition allowed for many opportunities for free development and diversity of designs executed. This allows me to move freely in different styles, using available tools and appropriate techniques. I enjoy doing large pieces that cover the entire body part entrusted to me. When designing these compositions, I ensure a balance between the tattoo and the body so that neither element dominates over the other. Thanks to years of experience and careful analysis of the influence of time on tattoos, I understand the limitations of tattooing technique and therefore appreciate the achievements and conscious choices of my predecessors in this field. My main principle is to say that a tattoo is for life.”
Rolę selekcjonera wstępnie weryfikującego prace tradycyjnie będzie pełnił Marcin Małczyk
Tattooing is a field that combines craftsmanship and artistry. With the dynamic development of the industry, many new styles have emerged, extending beyond the traditional ones. Therefore, we treat each tattoo individually. Our experts and judges place great emphasis on compliance with the chosen category, as well as on the execution technique, such as lines and fillings, proper adaptation to the body’s anatomy, and the originality of the design. One of the competencies of the tattooist, subject to evaluation, is proper preparation for the competition: adjusting the size of the tattoo both to the place of execution and to the time constraints during the event.
After the initial verification of the work – the level of execution and compliance with the category, during the registration process, information such as: the author of the tattoo, the studio and the city, the name of the model or models, is required. This information is not made public before or during the competition until the results of the category are announced. The model receives a number for the category. Before the start of the category, you should stand on the left side of the stage and wait for the number to be called. In the case of a large number of participants in the category, it is permissible to bring a larger group of models onto the stage or call out numbers out of order. You should reserve time for the entire category according to the schedule. From all presented tattoos, a group of up to 10 best ones is selected, which are presented again to the judges at the end of the category. You should wait at the stage for any re-calls. The works from the TOP 10 group are also photographed in the studio near the stage. The announcement of the results in all categories for the day takes place at the end of the day.
Competition times may change in the event of a very large number of entries. In such a situation, there is a possibility that the start of a given category will be delayed. However, competitions will never be accelerated relative to the time indicated in the program.
Everything good must come to an end. Our convention lasts only two days, and therefore we have limited time for all planned activities. We could multiply the competition categories indefinitely, but time constraints will not allow us to do so.
In the categories prepared by us for the competition, we tried to distinguish the basic styles of tattooing. Anime is not a tattoo style, but a theme that can be interpreted in many different ways. We can observe tattoos with an anime theme made in various styles, such as linear, neo-traditional, traditional, dotwork, or minimalist. Evaluating a compilation of anime-themed tattoos in different styles in the same category would be difficult. Additionally, creating a separate category for anime could lead to discussions about the need to create additional categories, such as movie, portrait, floral, or animal tattoos. We mainly focus on styles and execution techniques, rather than on themes, so we encourage you to look at the described styles to properly classify a given work.
During Tattoofest, we offer the opportunity to participate in the competition in many categories. The first division concerns fresh and healed tattoos. Healed tattoos are those that have been made and fully healed before the convention. The tattoo should be submitted in the category, in the style in which it was made, regardless of its size.
The second part concerns fresh tattoos. In these categories, you can submit a tattoo made during the convention. The tattooist can present a tattoo that started and finished on the same day. If the work is continued the next day, it can only be exhibited as a two-day tattoo.
Tattoos submitted for competitions undergo initial verification at the registration point. A tattoo selector appointed by the organizer, in addition to verification, will also provide instructions in case of doubts, help to indicate the appropriate category.
In the case of a fresh tattoo, it should be submitted in the “Cooperation” category. In this category, works from one day and two days can participate.
In the case of healed works, collaborative tattoos can be submitted according to the dominant style of work.
Unfortunately, in such a situation, there is a risk of disqualification. Such conduct would be unfair to other competition participants and treated as cheating. However, if such a situation occurs and the tattoo exceeds the time allotted for the one-day competition, the prize will be revoked, and a new winner will be chosen in advance from the Top 10. Additionally, information about the incident and the steps taken will be communicated through our communication channels.
To register for the competition, you should go to the information point. You must show the tattoo being submitted to the competition or at least its photo. Tattoos will be preliminarily verified for compliance with the category and the level of execution.
Yes, if, in the opinion of the person supervising the competition registrations on behalf of the organizer, the tattoo does not fit the chosen category, the registration may be rejected, or another category may be suggested. If the tattoo is of poor quality, a decision may also be made not to accept the work for the competition.
No, each tattoo can only be submitted to one competition category.
No, only tattoos made during the convention, appropriate to the given day in which the category is held, are considered fresh tattoos.
Yes and no. If you want to submit a fresh tattoo to the competition, you need to have a booth. If you are submitting a healed tattoo, there is no need to purchase a booth.
Yes, absolutely, but only a fresh tattoo made during the convention and only in that one category.
No. We assess fresh tattoos, made during the convention or fully executed and healed before the convention and submitted in the appropriate categories.
No. You should consider in which category you want to exhibit your work during registration.
No, the tattoos submitted must have been fully executed during the convention or fully executed and healed before the convention and submitted in the appropriate categories.
Yes, the tattoo must be completed by the time the works in that category are judged.
Yes, you must be present in person.
Yes, you can submit more than one tattoo to the competition, but each tattoo can only be submitted once.
Your comments can be reported at the registration point during the event or via email: festiwal@tattoofest.pl
In 2006 we hosted less than 30 artists,
now we have an honor of hosting almost 400!
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