Every year in Helsinki, lots of tattoo studios host their own walk-in tattoo events for Pride Week. This year we decided to do something different - we're all going to do one big event together!
We're partnering with Helsinki Pride to host a one-of-a-kind tattooing event at Pride House, a great space in the heart of Helsinki where lots of LGBTQ+ events will be held during Pride Week. On Tuesday 23rd June, you'll be able to join us there to get yourself a Pride tattoo, check out our mini art market, get information about your rights when getting a tattoo/visiting a studio or just chat to us about your tattoo ideas.
- An easy to find, accessible and central location
- 20% of our collective profits will be donated to our chosen pride charity
- Loads of different Pride-related designs to choose from
- Visitors will have the choice of nine different tattoo artists to choose from, each with their own unique styles
Where can I see what designs will be available on the day?
Can I come to ask questions without getting a tattoo?
Do I need to book an appointment?
What if I'm not sure if I want a tattoo or not?
Can I ask for changes to the designs or get a custom piece?
Is the space accessible?
What languages do your artists speak?
What ages can attend the event?
Scarlet (she/her)
It's so important to me that tattooing and art are accessible and representitive, which is why I partner with Pride every year and try to create events which show the public that tattoo studios and artist don't have to be scary or exclusive! I'll be hosting the Pride House event to make sure things run smoothly and I have time to chat to everyone about their ideas, concerns or questions - but I'm hoping I'll get some time to do a few nice pride tattoos too! My tattoo style is big, bold, colourful watercolour nature-inspired pieces, which merge natural imagery with the body. I love doing cover-up projects on older tattoos too!
Tiia (she/her)
Creating a queer tattoo event has been one of my dreams for a while and it's amazing to be a part of it now and especially during Pride! I would describe my own style as “illustrative traditional”. I like to use thick black and textured lines. I mix elements from different styles and my forte is mostly black and grey and blackwork tattoos. I'm always sensitive and kind towards all my clients. The most important thing in my work is creating a safe space and taking every client into account. Finding queer friendly tattoo studios hasn't been easy as it's often not specifically mentioned. It's always been clear to me that I want to clearly cater my services and spaces to be safe and welcoming for everyone and especially for the LGBTQAI+ community. In my own life minority stress is present way too often and I don't wish anyone to have that in my chair.
Meri (any pronouns)
I wanted to be a part of this event so that we can spread some information about client safety in the tattoo industry. Knowing our rights, how it’s okay for us to be treated and showcase some of Finland's queer and queer-friendly artists to our community! I work mostly in a delicate fineline style, where the lines form the image entirely, sometimes adding some soft shading. I also adore more geometric/symmetrical or ornamental designs that take that extra bit of concentration and bigger works that flow with the shape of the body!
Amanda (she/her)
During Pride, it's nice to get a tattoo and emphasize that all kinds of people are really welcome and I'd be happy to tattoo each of you. Tattoos belong to all adults who want them. No matter what you choose, I'll treat you as a person and with respect. I just want you to feel free to be yourself. Hi! I'm Amanda, 24 years old. I'm still searching for my own tattoo style, but I love realism and fantasy, everything delicate and dark. I've also noticed that I like mixing different styles. My values include fairness and honesty for everyone. I always do my best to make you feel comfortable and welcome at my reception. It's okay to talk to me, it's okay to be silent with me too. From time to time, a certain level of black humor spices up my mood nicely.
Freyja (she/her)
Tattoos are such a prime example of identity expression, which is why I believe they are so popular within the queer community. Queer identity and the ability to be authentically who you are is something to be so proud of, so hopefully the flash I have designed will make you feel this, as much as I do! I do pretty much every style, my favourites are soft, colourful florals and animal portraits. I try to create a cosy and safe space where my customers feel comfortable and considered.
Iiris (she/they)
Tattooing combines self-expression and human encounters, so it is perfect for Pride. The tattooing industry needs communality, and an event like this is wanted! Being neuroqueer myself, I value neuroinclusion in addition to principles of safe space in my client encounters. I have a long background in visual arts and my tattoo style could be described as surreal, illustrative and intricate blackwork. I like to combine abstract elements with figurative images and play with texture and line weight. I am however, open to a lot of styles.
Noora (she/her)
It’s very important to me that my clients feel comfortable and safe. With me, you can always be yourself. It’s wonderful to be a part of the Pride event and to capture something so meaningful. I like to tattoo fineline style with light shading, lettering, and abstract work such as tribals and ornamental pieces. I love to do creepy-cute tattoos (especially different characters).
Memmi (she/her)
The thing I love the most about tattoos is how much they can help you feel more at home in your own body and how they can be used as a means of self expression and affirmation. In this Pride event, I hope to do tattoos that do just that, whether it be something subtle that just makes you feel more like you or something that displays your Pride to the world! I'm super excited to work at this event together with other amazing artists driving the tattoo scene towards safer and more inclusive practices, while raising money for an important cause. I focus mostly on illustrative black and grey tattoos, but for this event I'll have some colourful options available as well! My favourite themes to tattoo are plants, florals, animals, and faces; I enjoy creating larger tattoos that flow with the body, but cute little things are a lot of fun to do as well. It's important to me that people feel comfortable getting tattooed by me and I strive to uphold safer space principles. Open communication between the client and the artist is foundational to tattooing and I always want to make sure you're happy with the design, know what's happening and why, and doing okay during the tattooing process. I am always happy to take the time to make adjustments to the tattoo and take breaks when needed to ensure you feel good at the end of the session!
Jenna (she/her)
I feel that our queer community does not necessarily know that we have plenty of queer artists and queer safe artists to get tattoos from. No need to get them from the most toxic person on the planet! I believe that being vocal about injustices we face in the society creates safer enviroment for me and my clients. Being a loudly neuroqueer tattoo artist is sometimes taxing, literally. Tattooing is my identity as well as being queer and neurodivergent. Tattooing is still quite a patriarchal scene. Being vocal about my identity and other societal issues directly reduces my income as a tattoo artist. I like to mix different art styles and weird ideas into a surrealistic collage. I value that client feels respected, seen and heard during their tattoo appointment.