Tattooing is no longer a man’s game, even in macho Israel. Still, there’s never a bad time to celebrate female artists. DIY Tel Aviv (eventually) caught up with six of the city’s hardworking, mega-talented tattoo artists to ask them about their art and the reality of being a woman in what was traditionally considered a man’s world.
Six strong women with different styles, different levels of experience and different (yet connected) outlooks about their craft and what it means to them – check them out below. Spoiler warning: by the time you reach the bottom of this page you’ll be gagging for some new ink!
Yasmine Bergner
What is the style you’re most known for?
Global tribal and sacred geometry, as well as spiritual guidance using tattoos.
How long have you been tattooing?
9 years.
What first drew you to tattooing?
I didn’t set out to be a tattoo artist. I had to take a long, winding road and study a lot of seemingly unrelated things before I got there. When I graduated from Bezalel art school, I had no idea what I wanted to say to the world. I studied art therapy, which taught me a lot about the creative process and being part of someone else’s process, not just sitting alone in the studio all day.
I traveled in India for two years and it was there that I discovered traveling tattooists and thought to myself “what a great thing to do”. It wasn’t particularly deep, plus I had a career already, but that was how it got into my system.
What does tattooing mean to you?
It’s something with deep historical roots that is extremely powerful. What I do is very similar to what a tribal tattooist does – creating a sort of empowering talisman that brings together my world and the world of the person being tattooed. It’s something that can only happen as a result of a bond between us and a deep understanding of what the person wants to get out of their tattoo. It’s a process.
Some people find it surprising that Jews are into tattoos at all, let alone tattooing. Do you have anything to say about that?
The idea that Judaism has always been against tattooing is simply not true. It’s just one voice that took over the discourse at a certain period, that’s all. There are actually quite a few mentions of tattoos in Jewish writing and Kabbalistic tradition that make it quite clear this was a popular custom at certain points in history. Meir Bar Ilan has done quite a bit of research about this topic and found evidence of at least one Jewish sect where people either tattooed or drew on themselves as part of their ritual experience. There are mentions of God and the angels having sacred writing on their foreheads and mentions of “righteous men” needing to show their own “seals” to get into heaven. There is even a Halachic ruling about allowable tattoos. Just the fact that it’s mentioned as forbidden means it existed as a custom that needed to be addressed.
When did you get your first tattoo?
When I was 23, in NYC. A small dragonfly tattoo on my left shoulder.
What is your favourite tattoo and why?
I have matching tattoos on my ankles and on my arms. The ankle ones are a kind of sandals, for grounding, connecting my mental and spiritual worlds to the material plane. The ones on my arms are inspired by ancient Egypt, which I am currently spending a lot of time researching. It’s the earliest source of sacred geometry as we know it.
What’s it like being a female tattoo artist in Israel?
When I got back from India and wanted to study tattooing, there were hardly any female tattoo artists In Israel. Maybe 3 or 4 in total. It was patriarchy everywhere. All the male tattooists I met had annoying domineering and patronising attitudes. Then I finally discovered Amalia Sand, Israel’s first female tattoo artist, and studied with her for six months. It was a completely different experience.
After two years of tattooing, because I’m interested in spirituality, I decided I was no longer interested in just tattooing without asking any questions. I started looking into the anthropology of tattooing and realised what an amazing art form this is. It’s universal and shamanic and in the tribal world it belongs to women just as much as men. It’s not like here where it’s all macho, with motorbikes and full-body tattoos.
For more information about Yasmine Bergner, check out her website.
Kuki Ariel @ Kuki-Chan Tattoo
What is the style you’re most known for?
Probably cartoon stuff on acid. I’m really into comics and enjoy doing super colorful rad stuff like skulls, puking eyeballs or black metal geisha ripping some gnarly riffs on a flying V. Another style I am super well known for is the eating hella sushi super fast super style which I am world famous for, but I don’t like to brag.
How long have you been tattooing?
5 years.
What first drew you to tattooing?
When I was a kid I noticed some blue haired biker lady who had the worst and raddest tattoo of a wolf howling at the moon. That kinda did it, the thought of illustrating skin stuck with me.
What does tattooing mean to you?
A fuckshit amount of hard work. Its one of the last kinds of craft left where you can’t fake hard work and progress. If you do badly, it shows. It pushes you to solve problems creatively and outdo yourself. For an artist its incredibly satisfying and difficult and aggravating and its pretty fucking rock and roll.
Some people find it surprising that Jews are into tattoos at all, let alone tattooing. Do you have anything to say about that?
I am not Jewish. I might be Jewish according to Jewish belief, but like, according to Scientology I am possessed by an alien spirit, so you know, everyone’s got something to say about that.
When did you get your first tattoo?
I was about 16.
What is your favorite tattoo and why?
I can’t pick favorites. it would be unfair towards the other tattoos and then they’ll be super sad and drown their misery in esoteric tattoo creams made out of chia seeds, chia pets and holy tears and they’ll develop some weird rash because they are not meant to soak in something that’s native to, like, a rain forest if you were not raised in one, because of being like naturally immune or something. And then it’s all planet of the apes tattoo edition and it’s all kinds of mad crazy.
What’s it like being a female tattoo artist in Israel? Do you have to deal with stereotypes or feel that you need to prove yourself more than a man would?
Well you know, patriarchy and shit.
For more information about Kuki visit her page.
Sonia @ Sonia Tattoo Lady
What is the style you’re most known for?
I call it “old school” – thick lines, bright colours, everything is well-defined and clear.
How long have you been tattooing?
5 years.
What first drew you to tattooing?
I think it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.
What does tattooing mean to you?
It’s a huge part of my life, almost the air that I breathe. When I go on holiday I miss it, no matter where I am. It’s love, it’s the way I express myself and it’s a way for me to set myself targets and be good all the time, always improve, always keep learning. It’s what keeps me alive and loving.
Some people find it surprising that Jews are into tattoos at all, let alone tattooing. Do you have anything to say about that?
Why not?
When did you get your first tattoo?
When I was 15.
What is your favourite tattoo and why?
Wow, I have so many. It’s like asking “who’s your favourite child?” or “Who do you love best, mom or dad?”
What’s it like being a female tattoo artist in Israel?
It’s different, same as in any profession. There aren’t really any female-run studios. I think when you’re a woman you need balls. You can’t be all like today I got my period and tomorrow I’m not in the mood and the next day my boyfriend left me. You can talk about strong women and feminism all you want, but in my experience women are more likely to be too soft on themselves. To make it in this business you need balls. That’s it.
For more information about Sonia visit her page.
Lena Tzur @ Tyto Alba
What is the style you’re most known for?
I don’t really work in a particular genre, but most of what I do is related to drawing or etching. I come from the world of classical art and that’s most of my inspiration.
How long have you been tattooing?
About a year and a half now. I learned by myself, with the help of friends. I just bought a machine and tattooed oranges at first. There was a lot of skill sharing and people who believed in me and wanted to get tattooed. I’m still learning from other artists, and from experience of course.
What first drew you to tattooing?
I remember drawing on my friends since I was 13, and I was always interested and drawn to tattoo art, can’t really say why. I guess it was part of being an artist and drawing in general for me.
What does tattooing mean to you?
Tattooing is part of painting for me, which is what I do. It’s art, and it also has a connection to the very fundamental elements of human civilization. I feel that there’s a lot of tribal elements in modern urban young culture, that manifest themselves in things like rhythm based music and body modification. Tattooing is almost a ritual, and it makes a very intimate connection between the artist and the person being tattooed. I feel tattooing has a bit of a healing power even…
Some people find it surprising that Jews are into tattoos at all, let alone tattooing. Do you have anything to say about that?
I don’t know about Jews and tattoos. I don’t consider myself Jewish or part of any religion, so I really don’t care about it. there are a lot of non-religious people in Israel who don’t observe any of the religious laws so why would they care about that?
When did you get your first tattoo?
When I was 15.
What is your favourite tattoo and why?
They are all my favorite.
What’s it like being a female tattoo artist in Israel? Do you have to deal with stereotypes or feel that you need to prove yourself more than a man would?
I noticed that a lot of people want to get tattooed by a female artist, because they had a bad experience in the male dominated studios. I am not trying to prove myself in any way other then being the best artist I can be, creating my own style, and being gentle and sensitive with my clients. I’m not in a competition with anyone. It does seem harder to be taken seriously as a beginner by male dominated studios, if you’re trying to learn, but it’s like in practically any other field – the boys will befriend other boys, or try to sleep with you. Nothing specific for tattooing. Anyway, It’s not a field dominated by metallists with skulls everywhere who try to look tough anymore. Most of the best tattoo artists here, and a lot that I follow and admire in the world are female.
For more information about Lena, visit her page.
Masha Chikens
What is the style you’re most known for?
I’m focusing on machine-free tattoos a.k.a stick and poke. The needles, ink etc is the same as used in machine tattoos, but the line is constructed from individual dots applied to the skin. Hand poked tattoos (made properly) are usually a good choice for knuckle and finger tattoos since the healing process is slightly different.
My style is mostly outline tattoos of hands in different symbolism, words, empowering tattoos and plants.
How long have you been tattooing?
About 3 years.
What first drew you to tattooing?
It seemed like a nice fantasy career choice for a 15 YO who loved to draw. Later, as an obvious thing to do as a person who loves tattoos.
What does tattooing mean to you?
Turning the body you were born with into the body you want to live in, as decorated as you want it to be.
But also, of course, each tattoo is symbolising something personal and important that you want to have on your skin for life and sometimes this thing can be a really healing experience.
Some people find it surprising that Jews are into tattoos at all, let alone tattooing. Do you have anything to say about that?
LOL
When did you get your first tattoo?
15 year old
What is your favourite tattoo and why?
My fave is a tattoo I recently did on a really good friend! It’s a portrait of her dog. I love ’em both so much.
What’s it like being a female tattoo artist in Israel? Do you have to deal with stereotypes or feel that you need to prove yourself more than a man would?
I’m not trying to prove myself to anyone when tattooing, I make my art, my way of living. People who come to get a tattoo should feel safe and comfortable — safe to come as they are, without being judged, and comfortable to tell me if they’ve changed their mind and want to redo the sketch for the 20th time, for instance. Getting a tattoo is such an intimate and important experience for me. it stays with you your whole life, not only the ink in the skin but also the experience you had with the tattooer.
Personally I chose to be self taught because of the male dominated, sometimes misogynistic experience that me and my friends have had at tattoo parlors. It’s not only in Israel you know. It has nothing to do with the country you’re at. It’s the fact you’re a woman/have a disability/ are person of color/queer/anything that is not (white) cis male. The environment and surrounding people that I tattoo are on a safe and supportive ground, though.
For more information about Masha, see Facebook.
Ronit Rozental @ Vision Tattoos
What is the style you’re most known for?
The style of tattoos that I am most drawn to is big-scale oriental tattoos that work well with the body and flow with it in harmony. I think I am most known for my oriental flowers that I love doing.
How long have you been tattooing?
I first started tattooing in 2009 and have been enjoying it ever since. It’s an ongoing studying and learning process. I learnt to tattoo and am still learning from Snir Rozensal and Boris Irisov and seek knowledge from Filip Leu.
What first drew you to tattooing?
It just felt like home. I like working with people and the intimate relationship that comes with tattooing them. I also like working with machines and, coming from a family of doctors, I like working with the human body.
What does tattooing mean to you?
It’s a tough question to give a short answer to. For me its a connection to who I am and a connection to something that is bigger then me, considering that tattoos started in tribes for shamanic purposes.
Some people find it surprising that Jews are into tattoos at all, let alone tattooing. Do you have anything to say about that?
Ha ha ha I find that funny! Jews are a group of people just like any other group. There are some that follow religion and some that don’t even believe in god, some great people and some bad people. Anyone who comes to Tel Aviv (the unofficial youth culture capital of Israel) will see that tattoo culture is alive and buzzing.
When did you get your first tattoo?
I wanted a tattoo from a young age but got my first one when I was 18.
What is your favourite tattoo and why?
I love all of my tattoos and don’t have a favorite, my goal is to have a body suit so it should all be one tattoo one day.
What’s it like being a female tattoo artist in Israel? Do you have to deal with stereotypes or feel that you need to prove yourself more than a man would?
Generally in life I try to be the best I can be regardless of gender. I strive to be a really good tattoo artist, not a really good female tattoo artist. If you act equal and put in the same effort you will be seen as equal.
For more information about Ronit see Facebook.
