3 Hong Kong tattoo parlours that represent the new generation of body artists

Hong Kong’s tattoo scene has evolved from triads and sailors to become a form of artistic expression. We visit some top tattoo parlours

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Co-owners of Star Crossed Tattoo Megan Lancaster (in white) and Rika Korponay at their studio in Wan Chai. We visit three prominent tattoo parlours ahead of this year’s Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition, from October 4 to 6. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 7:15am, 17 Sep 2024Updated: 7:30am, 17 Sep 2024

Tattooing has been around in Hong Kong since World War II, when James Ho set up the first parlour in Tsim Sha Tsui. But for years, getting a tattoo was taboo for most city residents.

A main source of business for tattoo artists until 2019 was the American warships that used to make regular rest and recuperation stops in Hong Kong.

Wan Chai, with its girlie bars, was a favourite pit stop for sailors, who would also drop into Ricky and Pinky’s tattoo parlour, where they would pay for permanent reminders of their off-duty bliss. Otherwise, there was Tsim Sha Tsui.

For the majority Chinese population, tattoos were regarded as the exclusive tags of triad members and unruly youngsters – so nobody from a decent family would be caught with one.

Today Hong Kong is no longer a stop for American sailors, and tattoos have become a lot more accepted in polite society.

Contemporary tattoo studios have popped up all over the city. The Post spoke to artists at three of Hong Kong’s most prominent studios ahead of this year’s Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition from October 4 to 6.