Tattoo Museum

by Tanja

THIS MUSEUM IS CLOSED

Hanky Panky, the King of Amsterdam Tattoos has made his dream come true. He has opened his very own Tattoo Museum in Amsterdam. Tattoo-king Henk Schiffmacher (59), a well known tattoo artist (‘Hanky Panky’) and Dutch celebrity collected all things related to tattoos over a period over 40 years. Many photographs are on display of beautiful tattooed body parts, many of which are ‘tribal’, carved and painted by isolated tribes in distant parts of the world.

But also traditional western tattoos are on show: sailors, criminals and rock artists. Henk Schiffmacher himself famously travelled with Red Hot Chili Pepper singer Anthony Kiedes to the inner jungle of Papua New Guinea to find tattooing tribes.

Amsterdam Tattoo Museum

The astonishing collection is housed in a 1000m2 building nearby Artis Zoo. You can see the first electric tattooing machine (from 1891!), pieces of tattooed skin and a large collection of related tribal items. Also there is a library, a museum shop and a bar with terrace in the garden.

Get your own tattoo in Amsterdam

Of course, if you want to get a tattoo, this is your chance. No less than 6 tattoo shops are housed in the museum and famous tattoo artists from all over the world are invited to come and make their ever lasting mark on peoples bodies.

Hanky Panky himself, who did many tattoos of rock stars -such as Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kurt Cobain, will also be doing the occasional tattooing himself.

Amsterdam tattoo workshop

People interested in the art of tattooing, can sign up for a workshop: taking classes on drawing and learning more on the managing of the tattoo machines.

There is also a special section for kids.

The Amsterdam Tattoo museum is open every day from 10 to 7.

Entrance is €10, kids are €5.

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