Ten years of tattoos
Eddie Hardiman outside his tattoo studio
TATTOOING and body art were once only popular among a small section of society. But with top footballers and Olympians now bearing colourful designs there has been an explosion in their popularity.
With the likes of fashion icon and former England football captain David Beckham openly displaying his love of body art and the popularity of US TV shows Miami Ink and LA Ink, tattooing has joined mainstream culture and more people can be seen sporting designs.
MARTIN DUNN spoke to tattoo artist Eddie Hardiman who is living his dream after he became hooked on the art form when he was just nine-years-old and is about to stage his 10th annual tattoo convention in March.
A LOT has changed over the last 25 years – but Eddie Hardiman’s passion for body art has not.
Eddie, 63, has been tattooing for as long as he can remember and in April last year celebrated the 25th anniversary of his family business in Horden.
Not only making his own history, Eddie has been a huge part of the rise in North East tattooing.
The Peterlee Tattoo Convention was launched by the Horden businessman at Peterlee Leisure Centre and this March the prestigious event will reach its 10th anniversary.
After a lot of hard work from Eddie and his family, they can look forward to a entertainment-packed convention coming up on March 25.
Eddie, who said he plans to work as an artist at the convention for the first time, said: “This is an extremely proud year for me and the family.
“We are pleased to see that even after so long, people are enjoying what we do and some people who come haven’t even got a dot of ink on their body.
“We have had some characters come through the doors and we have had some great tattoos over the years. People travel from around the world to be a part of the convention.
“We have seen artists and visitors alike coming from Thailand, Brazil and New Zealand to name a few, come especially for the Peterlee show.
“I will be working this one and it will be the first time I have ever been an artist at the show.”
There will be more than just the buzzing of tattooing equipment ringing around the leisure centre in Peterlee on March 25, as there will be entertainment for the visiting crowd.
With alternative entertainment from Straight Jacket Circus and local band Central Park appearing, it will be a show to remember marking the milestone anniversary.
With awards for the best tattoos in no less than 20 categories, judged by people in the industry from around the world, it is serious business when the artists set-up at the convention.
Eddie added: “When the convention gets under way it is a great relief that a years preparation has come together.
“When we first asked Peterlee Leisure Centre if we could use the facilities they boasted that the Pigeon Show was their best event and nothing would top it.
“We had 1,000 people through the doors and the leisure centre made a lot of money. It is safe to say we have been welcome back ever since.”
After performing his first tattoo on his own left leg at the age of nine, the father of two knew that his future lay in the body art business.
Sitting in the same shop and location that he opened 25-years-ago, Eddie proudly told the Mail of his early tattooing days.
“When I first came into body art it was a case of just doing it because I loved it,” he added.
“I started tattooing my mates for free because I loved the whole concept of tattoos.
“I was almost fascinated by people having pictures on their arm and why they stayed there.
“I didn’t even think about it being a business, but now our books are always full and we have a lot of work coming in and hopefully that continues for a lot of years.
“Myself and the family are extremely dedicated to keep the business and the convention going and we couldn’t do it without the volunteers and people involved.”
Eddie set up his first tattoo shop in Horden and is still based in the same location.
With daughter Trudy Hardy, 42, running the shop from the front desk and daughter-in-law Beverly becoming a successful artist, Eddie is proud to see his family enjoying his business.
He added: “I’m a proud man anyway and proud of what any of my family do.
“We run a good business and the girls do a great job.
“I built this from the bottom, starting by just tattooing my friends for and just for the love of it really.
“I am extremely proud to see us doing very well and now I can watch my family enjoy what I have enjoyed for many years. I have fulfilled my life-long dream.”
Tickets for the Peterlee Tattoo Convention cost £8 and are available by calling Trudy at Eddie’s Tattoo Studio on (0191) 5871787. Alternatively they will be available on the door for £10.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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