It isn’t just about ink — it’s about the stories behind it. You’ll find that same spirit in objects too. Step into the world of Klinkhamer Antiques and Hontō – Authentic Japanese Antiques: two unique pop-up shops filled with character, history, and beauty. From curiosities to Japanese craftsmanship, from mysterious to minimalist.

Amid the buzz of needles and ink, this edition also features two gems from the vintage scene: LILOS Vintage and Retro & Cool stuff. Think leather jackets, band tees, old-school accessories, and timeless pieces that tell a story — just like a good tattoo. Browse, try, and score something one-of-a-kind. Temporary, bold, full of character.

For the tattoo convention in the Forum, Henk Schiffmacher brings the best tattoo artists in the world to Groningen – and most of them bring their needles! Want to see them live at work? Come by! 

Want to get a tattoo? Make an appointment with your favorite artist in advance via Instagram. 

Colin Dale, Ayla Roda, Rafel Delalande, Phill Bond, Will Cattersel, Henning Jorgensen, Johan Svahn, Tycho  Veldhoen, Jacobus  De Quay, Olof Arrevik, Vincent Veldhoen, Tizi Tattoos, Rupa van Teylingen, Em Scott

For the tattoo convention in the Forum, Henk Schiffmacher brings the best tattoo artists in the world to Groningen – and most of them bring their needles! Want to see them live at work? Come by! 

Want to get a tattoo? Make an appointment with your favorite artist in advance via Instagram. 

Eric Perfect, Frederik Moens, Rich Hard, Nick Colell, Andreas Coenen, Derrick Snodgrass, Eddy Deutsch, Valerie Vargas, Alex Trufant, Pancho, Juan Puente, Paul Dobleman, Shane Enholm , Corey Miller, Daniele Hoang, Dan Sin, Dokter Lakra (Jeronimo Lopez Ramires), Chuey Quintanar, Freddy Corbin, Britton McFetridge, Luke Atkinson, Fillip Leu, Mick Zurich, Chris Garver, Scott Sylvia, Davide Andreoli

For the tattoo convention in the Forum, Henk Schiffmacher brings the best tattoo artists in the world to Groningen – and most of them bring their needles! Want to see them live at work? Come by! 

Want to get a tattoo? Make an appointment with your favorite artist in advance via Instagram. 

Yushi Takei / Horikichi, Herpianto Hendra, Ichibay (Hidenori ichihara), Megu Kamata, Taku Oshima, Orient Ching, Bunsin Horitoshi, Ichi Hatano, Xiaodong Zhou

During the convention, you can also visit the TATTOO exhibition at Forum. Through art, photos, and artifacts, you'll discover how tattoos have been used and experienced around the world and throughout history. Highlights include lifelike silicone models tattooed by legends such as Filip Leu, Leo Zulueta, and Horiyoshi III. Especially for the Groningen edition, Henk Schiffmacher adds a new model and takes you along on his global tattoo journey.

You can visit the exhibition with your convention ticket – don’t miss it!

During this interview by Erik Dijkstra Henk Schiffmacher takes us through the programme and shares why he personally invited the tattoo artists at the convention to come to Groningen!

TUIG stands for Temporary Outbursts, Ink, and Good Times.
We’re a pop-up tattoo shop, which means both our tattoos and our shop are temporary. These are fake tattoos — not stickers, but hand-drawn artworks — created by real tattoo artists, illustrators, and creatives. First-class ink from our favorite makers.

In this short documentary, Henk Schiffmacher takes us on a journey around the world. He visits Borneo, New Zealand, Hawaii, Samoa, and Japan, among other places. Along the way, he encounters various forms of tattooing.

In one culture, tattoos are used for protection, while in another they are essential for a good afterlife. Tattoos are also used as a defense against sharks or diseases, for example. In each culture, Schiffmacher undergoes a traditional tattoo himself—no matter how painful, such as the Buddhist tattoo near his throat.

This gives us a unique insight into the ancient art of tattooing.

Year
2005

Featuring
Henk Schiffmacher

Directed by
Harrie Ronhaar and Gilles Frenken

Duration
55 minutes

Hans Hannemann is a songwriter’s songwriter — an artist who is especially admired by fellow musicians. Born and raised in Groningen, his classic Americana sound and warm, lived-in voice are appreciated far beyond his hometown. Hannemann has performed on major stages, appeared on national television show De Wereld Draait Door, and is widely recognized for his strong lyrics and masterfully crafted songs. After spending time behind the scenes as a producer and studio musician, he now returns as a solo artist with new, layered songs that get right under your skin.

Matt Lodder is a British senior lecturer in art history and theory, Director of American Studies, and a tattoo expert at the University of Essex. He is also a curator of exhibitions and one of the Public Voice Scholars at the University of Essex. Matt is the author of the books Painted People and Tattoos: The Untold History of a Modern Art. His podcast Beneath the Skin won Best History Podcast at the UK’s Independent Podcast Awards in 2023.

On Saturday afternoon, the theme of his talk is: The untold history of modern tattoo industry 1719-1950.

How did tattooing evolve from something that was put on you to a form of expression that comes from within? Three tattoo artists from East LA brought tattooing from the back streets to the art galleries – and changed the art form forever.

That transformation is at the heart of the groundbreaking documentary Tattoo Nation.

Year
2012

Featuring
Don Ed Hardy, Freddy Negrete, and Travis Barker

Directed by
Eric Schwartz

Running time
86 minutes

Texas Schiffmacher sits down with a number of tattoo artists for an in-depth conversation. On Saturday afternoon, she will talk with George Bone.

About George Bone 
George Bone has been tattooing for sixty four years. He had his first tattoo done by Prof Cash Cooper in London at the tender age of fifteen years. Then he wanted to get more tattoos, which lead him to become Britain's most tattooed man in the Guinness Book of Records. He has been in his present studio with his wife Patricia since 1973. He does most styles and mainly large scale work now, but small ones as well.

Daan Soer and Milena Bleeksma — also known as DJ Voodoo Petrol — have been collecting records from all over the world for over 25 years. Their beloved vinyl spans countless styles, labels, and moods. They’ve played festivals across Europe and beyond, always in different shapes and settings.

Once known as Swoolish, they now usually perform from behind the decks of their own mobile nightclub: The Voodoo Petrol Club. From there, they bombard the crowd with Surf, Blues Rock, heavy Rhythm & Blues, exotic psychedelic Cumbia, Voodoo Music, Screamin' African, Banjo Rock, finger-pickin’ guitars, and obscure dancefloor gems.

Don’t expect hits — expect a truly unique DJ set.
Feet off the floor guaranteed!

Lecture by Tattoo Historian Terry Manton
On Saturday afternoon, tattoo historian Terry Manton will give a talk on George Burchett – also known as the ‘King of Tattooists’. In the first half of the twentieth century, Burchett was one of Britain’s most famous tattoo artists, with a clientele ranging from soldiers and performers to nobility and royals.

Beyond tattooing, George was also a teacher, cosmetic specialist, and supplier of tattoo equipment. His career was later chronicled in Memoirs of a Tattooist (1958), a book long regarded as the go-to source on his life and work.

Now, Terry Manton takes a fresh look at Burchett’s legacy. In this lecture, he challenges persistent myths, revisits the historical timeline, and explores George’s relationships with fellow tattooists like Tom Riley, Sutherland Macdonald, and his brother Charles Burchett Davis.

Felix, dare to dream is the impressive story of an existential journey. Felix Leu was a pioneer of modern tattoo art and a key figure in one of the most eccentric and respected families in the international tattoo scene: the Leu Family. A bohemian clan that turned freedom and creativity into an art of living.

This film is not just about tattooing—the story of Felix and Loretta is an ode to staying true to your dreams while finding your way in life.

Year
2023

Directed by
Morgan Bertacca and Valerio Bariletti

Duration
105 minutes

Will Cattersel will be interviewed by Texas Schiffmacher.

Will Cattersel is a Belgian tattoo artist based in Amsterdam at Schiffmacher & Veldhoen, renowned for his tribal and Pacific-inspired work. Drawing from a deep connection to traditional tattooing, his designs combine technical skill with cultural sensitivity, resulting in work that is both timeless and contemporary. In recent years, Cattersel has focused on researching and preserving indigenous tattoo traditions—particularly those of the Solomon Islands, the Polynesian Outliers, and Micronesia—shining a light on these rich yet often underrepresented heritages.

Hans Hannemann is a songwriter’s songwriter — an artist who is especially admired by fellow musicians. Born and raised in Groningen, his classic Americana sound and warm, lived-in voice are appreciated far beyond his hometown. Hannemann has performed on major stages, appeared on national television show De Wereld Draait Door, and is widely recognized for his strong lyrics and masterfully crafted songs. After spending time behind the scenes as a producer and studio musician, he now returns as a solo artist with new, layered songs that get right under your skin.

Hans Hannemann is a songwriter’s songwriter — an artist who is especially admired by fellow musicians. Born and raised in Groningen, his classic Americana sound and warm, lived-in voice are appreciated far beyond his hometown. Hannemann has performed on major stages, appeared on national television show De Wereld Draait Door, and is widely recognized for his strong lyrics and masterfully crafted songs. After spending time behind the scenes as a producer and studio musician, he now returns as a solo artist with new, layered songs that get right under your skin.

In this short documentary, Henk Schiffmacher takes us on a journey around the world. He visits Borneo, New Zealand, Hawaii, Samoa, and Japan, among other places. Along the way, he encounters various forms of tattooing.

In one culture, tattoos are used for protection, while in another they are essential for a good afterlife. Tattoos are also used as a defense against sharks or diseases, for example. In each culture, Schiffmacher undergoes a traditional tattoo himself—no matter how painful, such as the Buddhist tattoo near his throat.

This gives us a unique insight into the ancient art of tattooing.

Year
2005

Featuring
Henk Schiffmacher

Directed by
Harrie Ronhaar and Gilles Frenken

Duration
55 minutes

RocknRolla Soundsystem is the DJ collective from Groningen that has been shaking up the international scene since 2012. With their signature blend of funk, soul, disco, afro, hip-hop, rock & blues, they’ve been fueling parties for years. Their killer edits and sultry remixes have been released on labels like Island/Universal, Katakana Edits, Springbok Records, Act of Sedition, Vehicle, and Alpaca Edits—and the world took notice: from BBC1’s Craig Charles to Gilles Peterson and Jeremy Sole, the greats spin their tracks with love.

Anyone who has danced the night away at their sold-out shows in VERA, SIMPLON, and PAKHUIS, or at the legendary Kingsday Extravaganza on the Reitemakersrijge, knows one thing: this collective rocks your socks off. RocknRolla Soundsystem is returning for one night only with an exclusive Rooftop DJ set at Forum Groningen during the Tattoo Convention. Expect funky vibes under the stars, genre-bending grooves, and a dance floor with an amazing view.

An interview with Henk Schiffmacher. As co-organizer, Henk will guide us through the event and shine a spotlight on several artists in each conversation. He’ll share why he personally invited them to come to Groningen!

Daan Soer and Milena Bleeksma — also known as DJ Voodoo Petrol — have been collecting records from all over the world for over 25 years. Their beloved vinyl spans countless styles, labels, and moods. They’ve played festivals across Europe and beyond, always in different shapes and settings.

Once known as Swoolish, they now usually perform from behind the decks of their own mobile nightclub: The Voodoo Petrol Club. From there, they bombard the crowd with Surf, Blues Rock, heavy Rhythm & Blues, exotic psychedelic Cumbia, Voodoo Music, Screamin' African, Banjo Rock, finger-pickin’ guitars, and obscure dancefloor gems.

Don’t expect hits — expect a truly unique DJ set.
Feet off the floor guaranteed!

Matt Lodder is a British senior lecturer in art history and theory, Director of American Studies, and a tattoo expert at the University of Essex. He is also a curator of exhibitions and one of the Public Voice Scholars at the University of Essex. Matt is the author of the books Painted People and Tattoos: The Untold History of a Modern Art. His podcast Beneath the Skin won Best History Podcast at the UK’s Independent Podcast Awards in 2023.

On Saturday evening, the theme of his talk is: The untold history of modern tattoo industry 1950-2000.

How did tattooing evolve from something that was put on you to a form of expression that comes from within? Three tattoo artists from East LA brought tattooing from the back alleys to the art galleries—and changed the art form forever.

That transformation is at the heart of the groundbreaking documentary Tattoo Nation.

Year
2012

Featuring
Don Ed Hardy, Freddy Negrete, and Travis Barker

Directed by
Eric Schwartz

Running time
86 minutes

Will Cattersel  is a Belgian tattooer based in Amsterdam at Schiffmacher & Veldhoen, known for his tribal and Pacific-inspired tattooing.

He spent over five years researching the traditional tattoo patterns of the Solomon Islands. In libraries, museums, and archives, he discovered that this vital cultural practice was on the verge of disappearing. Once a key part of identity and status on these remote Pacific islands, the tattoos were fading from collective memory.

Sensing the urgency, Will travelled to the Solomon Islands. There, he worked closely with local artists and elders to rediscover and pass on the ancient symbols, stories, and rituals. In this talk, Will takes you along on his journey – from extensive archival research to the hands-on experience of tattooing on the islands. He shows how collaboration and a deep respect for heritage can help keep important traditions alive for future generations.

Texas Schiffmacher sits down with a number of tattoo artists for an in-depth conversation. On Saturday afternoon, she will talk with Chris Garver.

About Chris Garver
Well known and respected throughout the tattoo community, Chris Garver garnered mainstream attention after appearing as a regular on the reality TV show Miami Ink. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he attended the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School and, later, New York's School of Visual Arts. An avid traveler and aficionado of all styles of tattoos, Chris has visited and worked in such locales as Japan, Singapore, England, and the Netherlands. He currently resides in New York City with his daughter, where he owns a tattoo shop called Five Points Tattoo.

我慢 / GAMAN weaves together found footage, collage, and interviews with master tattooists to explore the ancestral Japanese tattoo technique tebori, a hand-poking artform rooted in ritual and deeply connected to wood carving. The film offers a journey through Japan’s cultural memory, As Dr. Lakra’s first film, GAMAN reflects his signature approach: an anthropological collage where diverse cultures, genres, and symbols collide in a hybrid, multilayered visual form.