Minimalist-Style Tattoos Lovingly Created in Exchange for Thoughtful Acts

Most tattoo artists accept money in exchange for permanently adorning a client's skin, but Stanislava Pinchuck, aka Miso, prefers the bartering system. The multidisciplinary artist draws minimalist-style tattoos while working in Tokyo and Melbourne. However, they aren't something that just anyone can receive; Miso reserves these special images for friends and family. In exchange, they offer her some sort of creative trade.

Miso has kept with bartering because these tattoos feel too important and intimate for her to accept money as payment. “A trade for what someone feels its worth – maybe they teach me a skill in return, cook me dinner, give me a book I would love, assistant work, whiskey,” she explains. “You never know, but everyone feels good about it, which I like. But more and more, I feel like it's becoming a bigger part of my practice.”

The homemade tattoos are inspired by memory, space, and geography, and then delicately-lined imagery is translated onto the body. They are often inconspicuous, small works that can be hidden easily with clothing. But, these tattoos seem to be more about the exchange and an enjoyable experience between both parties. The artist receives something that's much more personal than money – time and meaningful items from loved ones.


Miso website
via [Lost At E Minor and Demilked]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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