Tattoo artists from across Scotland claim they have been left in the dark over the last-minute cancellation of a body art festival in Dundee.
Tattooists who paid to take part in the two-day attraction, which was scheduled to take place this weekend, say organiser Ky Thomasson-Kay has not contacted anyone about the cancellation.
Almost 100 artists and vendors were to attend the third annual convention but some now claim they have been “ripped off”. One Aberdeen studio alone alleges their artists have lost £650 in unreturned deposits.
Dundee University Students’ Association, which was due to host the event for the first time, blamed a communication break-down for the cancellation.
President Tim Hustler said: “The organiser lacked communication, and he wanted to pull out of the event.
“We had one meeting which he attended and another four meetings where he didn’t turn up.”
Mr Thomasson-Kay’s company, Rebellion Events, was dissolved on March 13 this year. However, on June 16 several posts were made on the convention’s official website telling people that the event “was back” and urging traders to book a place.
The website now states “New date and venue coming soon” but its Facebook page is down. An after-party on Saturday night has also been cancelled.
Alana Forsyth, 24, from Infinite Ink in Hamilton, said she had to fight to get her £50 deposit back.
“We weren’t really told it was officially cancelled. It was just through people online that I heard,” she said.
A spokesperson for Rock’n’Roll Tattoo and Piercing, which operates three studios across Scotland, said: “There seems to be a feeling this year that people are very unhappy. People are getting no response from the guy.”
When visited by the Courier at his home, Mr Thomasson-Kay was adamant “nobody would be left out of pocket”.
He cited problems with the venue over the door policy and disputes with some artists as reasons behind the cancellation. “It is a shame it has come to an end but I’d have ended up subsidising the event myself,” he said.
He claimed those who had paid deposits would be refunded when his event insurance arrives.
He added: “I haven’t not answered an email or, as far as I’m aware, not been in touch with anyone, other than one person.”
He said it was unlikely the event would return to the city as disputes during the organisation process had left a “bad taste” in his mouth.