Get a tattoo, help a family in need

Tattoo enthusiasts can purchase a flash tattoo and the proceeds will go towards helping families in need during the pandemic. Photo: Pixabay

A group of tattoo artists will be holding a Fundraising Flashday (#covid19charityflash2020) on Dec 20 to help underprivileged families impacted by the pandemic.

Thirty-three artists from 11 tattoo studios, including one piercer (for body piercings) and one lash artist (for lash extensions) will be participating in the charity flash event, which will be happening simultaneously at these studios: Studio Art of Alvin, Specs Body Art, Haiyuan Tattoo Studio, Apohapoh, Con Ele, Electric Dreams Collective, Pitts Tattoo Penang, Dr Ink Tattoo Studio, Gimmick Tattoo, Blackcat Tattoo Studio and Kong Tattoo from 12pm to 7pm on Sunday.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Malaysian tattoo artist Alvin Chong has organised the annual charity tattoo flash day, which benefits a different charity each year. From 2017 to 2019, the beneficiaries are Dignity for Children Foundation in Kuala Lumpur, Palu Earthquake victims in Indonesia, and the Orang Asli at Kampung Pos Tenau, Perak.

According to Chong, this has been an unprecedented year because of the pandemic, and many underprivileged families are really badly impacted.

“This year, we have more artists joining forces to help raise funds for these underprivileged families whose means of livelihood has been affected by the pandemic and 100% of the proceeds will go towards buying food and other necessities for these families, ” says Chong.

Chong (front) at Kampung Orang Asli Pos Tenau to deliver the donations after the 2019 charity flash event. Photo: Alving Chong

“To ensure the safety of the clients and tattoo artists, instead of locating the event at a central location, we’re locating it at each participating tattoo studio, ” he says.

“In keeping with the SOP requirements, only three persons at a time are allowed to enter each location to select and purchase the tattoo flashes, piercings or eyelash extensions. And, only the persons getting a tattoo are allowed to be in the studio’s tattoo room and it’s by appointment only.

2017 charity flash event where the proceeds went to Dignity for Children Foundation. Photo: Alvin Chong

“Some of the studios are also holding the event online for customers to select and purchase the designs and then make an appointment for the tattooing at a later date, ” he adds.

Chong says that the team of artists already practise strict standards of hygiene even before the pandemic and during this time, they are following the required SOPs to protect the health and safety of their customers.

Tattoo flashes are designs drawn by tattoo artists, usually displayed on the walls of their studios to give clients an idea of the types of tattoos that they can do. Enthusiasts surveying the tattoo designs during the previous year's charity flash event. Photo: Alvin Chong

“Tattoo flashes have been around for a long time, and they are designs drawn by tattoo artists, usually displayed on the walls of their studios to give clients an idea of the types of tattoos that they can do, ” explains Chong.

“But they have become a trend for the younger artists to create designs for the general public and tattoo collectors. It’s less expensive and affordable for those who are getting their first tattoo as well, ” he says, adding that he was inspired to use this concept to create more interesting designs that are affordable for tattoo enthusiasts while helping the less fortunate.

More info at: instagram.com/artofalvin/