Modern Body Art

The Modern Body Art tattoo artists create amazing tattoos.
I had quite a big tattoo done by Andy Cryztalz. It’s dotwork and took a total of about 17 hours. It was completed over the course of 5 sessions. They are open 10a-​6pm Mon-​Sat. For larger pieces, they usually book 4 hour sessions either 10−2p or 2p-​6p. Tattoo rate is £70 per hour.
Chris, the receptionist, is friendly and professional. I had my sessions on Wednesdays and found the studio very relaxed and mellow. The co-​owner and artist, Jo, was usually working as well as Rachel. They were both very friendly. All of the artists were very nice and approachable. I felt like I could ask them questions without feeling intimated or «not cool enough.»
Andy is brilliant and his work speaks for itself. He does dotwork and a lot of sacred geometric patterns which was exactly what I was looking for. He custom-​designed my tattoo and created something beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Plus, he has a positive vibe and is easy to talk to. I will definitely book with him again when I’ve saved up enough money.
The only downside is the location (well, if you have to drive to get there) as parking is difficult and expensive. The street parking nearby is only for up to 2 hours, so you’re better off taking public transport or parking in a car park.
All in all, this place is fab and I highly recommend checking it out. Free consultation and appointments usually book out at least a month after consultation depending on the artist. When booking your appointment, you have to pay a small deposit — standard for most places.

The most highly regarded ink shop in Birmingham. The two owners of this place are world famous tattoo artists but they are often our at conventions so in their place are some of Birminghams other most talented artists.
The waiting list here is long and the price is high but your paying for the best and its with you forever so it’ll be totally worth it. If you pop in or search online they can see examples of the work coming out of this studio, if you had any doubts they will soon be done.
Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

A reasonably substantial amount of my skin is covered in ink, and a substantial part of that is a work (still!) in progress by Jo Harrison. I feel that qualifies me to both review MBA and also explain why I rate it as highly as I do.
The salon itself is clean, bright, airy and easy to get to. They’re brilliant with hygiene and cleanliness, and the area that tattooing happens in is shielded from the entrance and waiting area, so you don’t ever feel like you’re being gawped at when you get your bits out to be tattooed.
They don’t make any ridiculous claims about being ‘pain free’ — because as EVERYONE knows, of COURSE being tattooed hurts! It’s a process of a needle repeatedly piercing your skin and embedding ink inside you forever. If it didn’t sting a little, then they’re unlikely to be doing it right. The majority of slots are booked in advance — particularly if you want work done by people like Jo. I waitied a year just to get on the waiting list, then another year and a half to be seen. Dedication, or what?!
That said — I’ve still not managed to get my piece by Jo finished. She went off on a round the world trip midway through my work, and when she came back all her prices jumped up — even for works in progress. It does feel like a bit of a fight to try and make an appointment, and those two things combined knock off that extra point to make it to 5.

With a dominating presence across two store fronts, Modern Body Art could easily be seen as the boss of all Birmingham tattoo shops. With two artists with a world wide reputation leading the charge and seven other high quality tattooists working there, the chances are you’ll be able to find someone to do the tattoo you are looking for here. Such excellence doesn’t come cheap, but we all know that if you want the best, you have to pay for it.
My one criticism is that the atmosphere in the reception area can sometimes be a little cold. I have quite a few tattoos and know the tattoo scene fairly well, but if I find it slightly intimidating at times, what must it be like for a new comer?
This point aside, I’d wholeheartedly recommend Modern Body Art. It’s usually the first place I mention when someone asks me about tattoos in Birmingham, because of the high quality and wide variety of work being produced there.

this place sucks. the people that work at mba really irritate me, they dont make you feel at ease at all, the complete opposite actually. they make you feel really uncomfortable.
they think they know it all. and even if they do, theres a way to talk to people. should be friendly and not talk down to the other person. treat people how you’d like to be treated. you ask for a tattoo and they insist they have to tattoo it larger than a house. i know u cant have a tattoo too small but ffs one tattoo doesnt have to cover your whole body either. its the same everytime ive been there or called the shop.
the only decent tattooist left but at least shes gone on her own now.
this place should get 0 stars but unfortunatly you cant leave 0 for a rating. thats what it deserves.
oh yeah and why is everyone jumpin on the ggallin? he/​shes entitled to their opinion. just cus you dont agree with him/​her doesnt mean there lying. i bet every other review on heres from someone that works at mba, i mean theres like 10 reviews in the same day. nothin strange about that is there lol