More Indian women break gender barriers to make a mark in art of tattooing business

Artworks done by Dipti Chaurasiya. (Photo Credit: Aliens Tattoos)

According to tattoo artist Angel Zimik, once upon a time, the industry used to be male-dominated. “But not anymore, I do not think there is any gender difference in being a tattooist. The tattoo industry recently started growing in India. I have noticed that my pursuit of a career as a tattoo artist has also led other women to aspire for the profession, follow their artistic passions and break traditional gender roles,” Zimik points out. However, the Delhi-based artist wants more women to join the industry as the present number is not so encouraging.

The rise in the number of women tattoo artists has been a testament to their skill, determination, and the changing dynamics of the industry.

Zimik says that she has at times experienced sexism at workplace, especially from male artists. “Sometimes they would pass comments that the only reason I get clients is because I am a woman and everybody just wants to be tattooed by girls,” she shares.

Angel also added that she has encountered gender stereotypical approaches and preconceived notions about her abilities in tattooing.

Tattoo artist Angel Zimik’s artwork. (Photo Credit: @angel_inkylicious/Instagram)

Dipti Chaurasiya, who desires a change in the situation of the male-dominated tattoo industry in India, feels the country needs more talented women to step into the spotlight and get recognised for their exceptional artwork.

“Being a woman tattoo artist is proof of the indomitable spirit of women. This journey isn’t just about art—it’s a celebration of breaking barriers and defying norms. Women are creators, trailblazers, and forces to be reckoned with,” Chaurasiya says.

While the tattoo industry has undoubtedly flourished, the artists say it is still in its infancy stage in India. Though the industry has experienced growth and acceptance, tattooing is yet to be considered a mainstream career option in India. The artists encounter a variety of challenges from social perceptions to regulatory hurdles to price challenges.

Lokesh Verma, a self-taught tattoo artist who has been in this industry for almost 14 years and founder of Devil’z Tattooz studio, attests to the fact that the industry in India is still in its nascent stage. “Here if we get a client, we are usually asked to do small or very basic simple tattoos such as names, butterflies or symbols. But you see, the foreign people usually go with a palm-size or an inch-size tattoo,” points out Verma while adding that tattoo artists in India do not have the freedom of creativity.

“I wanted a canvas and for me skin was the canvas,” said Tattoo artist Lokesh Verma. (Photo credit: @devilztattoozlokesh/Instagram)

“In foreign countries, customers give the artist the space to create artwork. People in foreign countries usually come up with the idea of artwork and the tattoo artist gets the full freedom to design and make the artwork more unique through his or her own skills. However, in India, customers usually take pictures from the internet and ask artists to do the exact replica of it. Many a time people are not open-minded enough to get something that they have not seen before,” Lokesh explains.

Tattoo artist Vikas Malani and his artwork. (Photo credit: Vikas Malani)

Vikas Malani, tattoo artist and the founder of BodyCanvas in Mumbai, says that the art of tattooing is getting tarnished as some tattoo artists, for the sake of getting more business, charge less money for their works and clients also make the most of the situation. “The clients while opting for cheaper options are unaware of the hygiene aspect, re-usage of needles, or use of animal-sourced glycerine ink,” Malani points out.

In India, the tattoo industry still falls under the unorganised sector as the government has no rules and regulations for the industry, unlike other countries where one needs to have a licence to be a tattooist.

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