Inside Iron Gate Tattoo Convention 2026: Meet the Directors Behind Sydney's Tattoo, Art & Music Event
Sydney's Iron Gate Tattoo Convention brings together tattoo artists, live heavy music, art exhibitions and alternative culture under one roof. Ahead of Iron Gate 2026 at the Hordern Pavilion, Jason Taylor and Lily Parker from Ink Nurse asked directors Martee Bautista and Jessica Moor, the team behind The Iron Gate Tattoo Convention, how the convention began, how they choose their artists, what they've learnt along the way and what visitors can expect this November.
Ink Nurse is proud to be a Major Partner (platinum cultural sponsor) of Iron Gate 2026.
Iron Gate 2026 at a glance
- When: Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November 2026
- Where: Hordern Pavilion, Entertainment Quarter, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021
- Hours: Friday 10am to 10pm, Saturday 10am to 11pm, Sunday 10am to 7pm
- All ages: kids aged 11 and under get in free
- Parking: Entertainment Quarter car park, first two hours free
- Tickets: AXS
- Official site: theirongatetattooconvention.com.au
- Instagram: @theirongatetattooconvention
Iron Gate 2024 at the Hordern Pavilion. Photo: Entertainment Quarter.
The Story Behind Iron Gate
Who are you, and what do you actually do in the weeks before doors open?
Our names are Martee Bautista and Jessica Moor, and we're the directors of Iron Gate. We oversee the entire operation, from organising the tattoo artists, bands and backline to booth builds, floor plans, sponsorships and everything in between. We invite and liaise with artists, coordinate the logistics and make sure all the moving parts come together.
In the weeks leading up to Iron Gate, we're finalising the artist line up, floor plan, marketing strategies and social media campaigns, while also getting stock organised at the Iron Temper Supplies warehouse to ensure artists have what they need for the show. There's a lot happening behind the scenes, and it's all hands on deck right up until the doors open.
How did the two of you come to run Iron Gate together?
We started Iron Temper Supplies, our tattoo supply business, in 2020. Through that, we became even more connected to the tattoo community and wanted to contribute something more to the industry in Australia. By working with our friends and drawing on the networks we'd built over the years, we decided to bring together a high calibre, invite-only tattoo convention that we could genuinely be proud of.
What made you start Iron Gate, and what was missing from Australian conventions at the time?
At the time, the Australian tattoo convention scene had lost a lot of trust. We felt Australia deserved a high calibre, invite-only tattoo convention that put Australian tattooers on the global stage and attracted highly respected artists from all over the world.
What we felt was missing was integrity, authenticity, unity and community, along with a genuine sense of belonging. We wanted to create something that brought people together, celebrated the craft and gave artists a platform they could feel proud to be part of.
What nearly went wrong at your first Iron Gate, and what did you change because of it?
Honestly, what didn't go wrong? Some of the sinks weren't working, we had difficulties with the council over sharps containers, and the organisation of the Iron Temper stock was all over the place.
We got there in the end, but it was a massive learning curve. Neither of us had ever put on an event before, let alone a tattoo convention of this scale. We learnt quickly, fine-tuned the processes and made changes wherever we needed to. Each year, things run a little more smoothly, and it's starting to feel like clockwork.
You learn pretty fast when you're thrown in at the deep end. You either sink or swim!
Where does the name Iron Gate come from?
I was driving around trying to come up with a name that connected to our tattoo supply business, Iron Temper Supplies, but also sounded tough. That's how I landed on Iron Gate.
Coincidentally, after I came up with the name, some friends of mine were touring with a band called I AM, and I heard a song they'd written called Iron Gate. That pretty much cemented it for me. It felt like it was meant to be, haha.
How Iron Gate Works: Artists, Sponsors and the Music
How do you choose your artists?
It can happen in a few different ways. Sometimes we've known about an artist for years and have always loved their work. Other times, we stumble across an artist on Instagram through a reel or post, receive an expression of interest via email, or discover an artist through a recommendation from a good friend in the tattoo industry.
Ultimately, it comes down to the artist's work, their reputation and whether we feel they're the right fit for Iron Gate. We want to bring together an incredible calibre of artists who contribute to the overall energy and community of the event.
Who are your sponsors, and why work with them?
We partner with like minded people and brands who share our passion for, and respect and understanding of, the tattoo and creative industries. Many of our sponsors are also brands we work with directly through our tattoo supply business, Iron Temper Supplies, so those relationships have grown organically over time.
Some of the brands supporting Iron Gate include Ink Nurse, Lotus Needles, Good Guy Supply, Reap Ink, Staple Tattoo Supply, Stickerflex, Bottega Made and Ink Lab Machines. We value working with people who genuinely understand the industry and want to contribute to its growth.
Why run a heavy music festival, a strongman comp and art exhibitions alongside the tattooing?
Honestly, they're all things I love, so I thought, why not bring them together under one roof?
I grew up around heavy music and still have a lot of friends working in the music industry. I believe we need to keep alternative live music alive in Australia, and if we have the opportunity to put on a show and bring different creative communities together, then we're going to do it!
Iron Gate is about more than just tattooing. It's about celebrating alternative culture, bringing people together and creating an experience that reflects the things we're passionate about.
Visiting Iron Gate 2026
First time at a tattoo convention? What should you sort out before you arrive?
If you're getting tattooed, make sure you get a good night's sleep and eat well before your session. Being well-rested and properly fuelled makes a big difference, especially if you're sitting for a longer appointment. Make sure you've communicated with your artist beforehand about your design, deposit and any other arrangements.
If you're coming along to check out the convention rather than get tattooed, be prepared to spend some serious cash! There's an incredible amount of stuff to discover and purchase, from original artworks and prints to merch, homewares and all sorts of unique pieces. Come ready to explore, support the artists and maybe take home a few things you didn't know you needed.
Can I get a walk-in tattoo on the day?
Yes, absolutely. There will be a huge number of artists taking only walk-ups over the three days. Watch the answer on Instagram.
How do I book in with an artist at Iron Gate?
It really depends on the artist. Some take bookings via email, and some just through DMs. Go through our Instagram, find the artist you want to get tattooed by, click on their profile and see which method they prefer. Watch the answer on Instagram.
What's happening at Iron Gate 2026?
We've got an incredible hardcore music line up on Saturday, a strongman event on Sunday, Alex Rusty's Brush Work art exhibition and Red Dragon's Year of the Horse exhibition. See the full Saturday band line-up.
We'll also be hosting Tat Talks and seminars featuring Matty D Mooney, Alex Rusty and Stef Bastian, hosted by MJ Forrest.
There's a lot happening across the weekend, and we're excited to bring together tattooing, art and music once again.
Why Ink Nurse Backs Iron Gate
Ink Nurse backs Iron Gate because we believe the tattoo industry deserves events that genuinely put artists, creativity and community first. We're an Australian tattoo-industry brand with global ambitions, but we haven't forgotten the people and community that made this industry what it is.
Supporting events like Iron Gate is part of our commitment to helping Australian tattooing grow, giving artists a platform and showcasing the talent we have here to the rest of the world.
A big thank you to Martee and Jess for taking the time. If you're getting tattooed at the show, follow your artist's aftercare instructions, and with summer on the way, here's how to look after a new tattoo in the Australian sun.
We'll see you at the Hordern, 6 to 8 November.
