This Artist Is Changing the Lives of Domestic Violence Survivors, One Tattoo at a Time

Scars may never disappear. Women who have suffered domestic violence can be haunted for life by the marks of abuse they carry on their bodies. A "lifetime mark," however, can mean something different; Flavia Carvalho, a tattoo artist born in Curitiba, reinvents the term.
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Scars may never disappear. Women who have suffered domestic violence can be haunted for life by the marks of abuse they carry on their bodies. A "lifetime mark," however, can mean something different; Flavia Carvalho, a tattoo artist born in Curitiba [Brazil], reinvents the term. The project she developed two years ago, dubbed "A Pele da Flor" (The Skin of the Flower), seeks to transform scars on women's bodies into beautiful, empowering and transformative tattoos. In this interview, she discusses her ideas and experience.

Some of the below images may be considered graphic.

How did you become a tattoo artist? Are women tattoo artists still negatively perceived?

Flavia Carvalho (FC): I've always enjoyed drawing, and when I started studying Biological Sciences at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), I started working on scientific illustration. My colleagues and friends from school insisted that I experiment with tattooing. I started as a tattoo apprentice, assisting an artist who taught me how to assemble a tattoo machine. Soon enough, I started tattooing my "guinea pigs" in college. It was a long and difficult journey. Then, I worked at two different tattoo parlors before I could have my own studio.

I can't claim that women tattoo artists are subject to prejudice per se, but tattoo artistry is dominated by men, and it is indeed very difficult for women to break into this industry. At the tattoo convention here in Curitiba, out of over 150 tattoo artists in 100 booths, I was among only six women artists. Out of the tattoo contest's 32 prizes in different categories, only myself and one other woman took home awards. It has been very hard for me to achieve recognition in this field, and I can clearly see how much emerging women tattoo artists struggle as well.

Could you talk a little more about your project? How does it work?

FC: The idea of the project is very simple: it is a voluntary service for tattooing over scars that have resulted from domestic violence or from mastectomies. I run the project alone, since no other tattoo artist has expressed interest in participating. I started the project quite recently, and I had no idea it would receive this much media attention. It began very spontaneously. As I said, my services are a hundred percent voluntary, and the only "cost" women need to invest is to choose a design for their tattoos!

Where did this idea come from?

FC: It all started about two years ago, when I worked with a client who wanted to cover a large scar on her abdomen. She told me that she was at a nightclub, and when she turned down a man who approached her, he stabbed her with an switchblade. When she saw the finished tattoo, she was extremely moved, and that deeply touched me. I was suddenly struck by the idea of providing free tattoos to women who were left with scars following domestic violence or mastectomies. Each tattoo would act as an instrument for empowerment and a self-esteem booster.

I refined the project this year, and I proposed it to a few NGOs; the Municipal Secretariat of Policies for Women, for instance, has applauded the idea. We also received support from the fan-page of the City of Curitiba, which wrote a post about the project that went viral.

The project's name refers to the Portuguese expression "A flor da pele" (deeper than skin), which speaks of how strongly we feel when facing an extremely difficult or challenging situation. "A Pele da Flor" also alludes to the fact that all of us women are like flowers and deserve to have our skin protected and embellished.

The girls who get your tattoos wear new marks on their bodies: ones that show resilience instead of fear. How has your work been received among these women?

FC: The feedback I have gotten from women who were helped by this project has been extremely surprising. The sense of affection, sisterhood and camaraderie is deeper than I ever imagined. They contact me from all over the country, as well as from abroad. They come to the studio, share their stories of pain and resilience, and they show me their scars. Embarrassed, they cry, and hug me. Then we design the tattoo and we schedule the session. They become excited, optimistic. It is wonderful to see how their relationship with their bodies changes after they get the tattoos. I follow many of them on Facebook, and I see how, after being ashamed of their scarred bodies, they now post pictures in dresses, and they look happy, changed. It is transformative.

What kind of impact has your worked created beyond the transformation in the lives of the tattooed women?

FC: It helped to raise the issue of domestic violence, both in the press and among interest groups. That was also the intention of this project.

Which story moved you the most?

FC: They all move me, but the one that shocked me the most was the story of a 17 year-old girl who dated an older man and, for months, suffered from the physically abusive relationship. When he wanted to break up with her, he scheduled a meeting, and after they began to fight, he stabbed her several times in her abdomen, and violently raped her. She ended up with a perineum tear, had to undergo a number of surgeries and spent several days in the ICU. She is so young, and she has been left with so many scars. The aggressor, however, was a first time offender, so he is still out on the streets.

You work with women who have been abused. Have you ever received any chauvinistic or threatening comments?

FC: Comments have not been directed straight at me; after all, men fear empowered women, right? [ she laughs]. I saw a few malicious and derogatory comments on some of the news articles published, but they were all so empty and foolish (the kinds of comments by haters or trolls) that they did not bother me.

In your own words, what is the importance of a project like yours?

FC: It is a grain of sand; the world is full of things that need to be addressed. We have a long way to go regarding protecting women against violence.

Any plans for the future? Partnerships with organizations that protect women, maybe?

FC: The Municipal Secretariat of Policies for Women and I intend to establish a partnership with the Women's Police Station, in order to offer my services in a more active and direct way to women that go there to report incidences of violence. I will also participate in the Women's National Day in November, and the Pink October events, in partnership with Hospital Erasto Gaetner, which helps women that undergo mastectomies under the United Health System.

Also on HuffPost:

Tattoos
(01 of26)
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"My dad (that adopted me) had a boat and camping and that boat are some of my fondest memories. I gave him a hard time growing and he would always ask where my brains were at. It's a non traditional 'in memory of' tattoo." (credit:Brittney Deaton)
(02 of26)
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"My dad passed away unexpectedly from complications during surgery. After about a year of mourning and trying to understand why, I decided no pain could be worse so why not get a tattoo in his memory. When you get that phone call from the hospital that no family wants saying, 'We tried everything we could do to save him,' you think to yourself did they really try everything? My tattoo reads: 'If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.' I truly believe that." (credit:Lauren Toys Husser )
(03 of26)
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"The big one on my arm that you see in the picture on the left is a pinup homemaker I have put in a Guadalupe type setting. She represents who I try to be, and what I believe... that domesticity is something to be proud of. That being able to create love through domestic acts like sewing something such as a dress, or mending a pair of pants for someone -- baking a cake to celebrate, or a big meal to bring your family together, raising kids, grandkids, etc. Without these domestic acts, without the home maker -- in whatever form he or she takes -- there would be no home. The world would be a much colder place." (credit:Destinee Dos Santos)
(04 of26)
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"I was born with a genetic disease called, Cystic Fibrosis. Early on in my life, I was diagnosed at 18-months, they teach you how to say, Cystic Fibrosis by saying: 65 Roses. So that was my dream: To stop being embarrassed that I was covered in scars and embrace who I was. This tattoo reminds me that I'm strong, that I'm blessed, that I have one hell of a family and one hell of a story to tell. I will never be ashamed of who I am because of the scars that cover me, scars I never asked for but saved my life, or the art I've gifted to my body that reminds me to be proud of who I am, and what I've overcome." (credit:Kasey Rose Barger Orr)
(05 of26)
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"I am originally from Hawaii and I feel a strong connection to the land and sea there. I now live in Chicago, so I wanted a larger piece so I could always remember where I come from and carry a piece of the spiritual connection that I feel to the earth with me at all times. The different layers of the tattoo have different pieces of hawaiiana, both land and sea." (credit:Molly Morton)
(06 of26)
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"I have suffered from an eating disorder for as long as I can remember. I read The Bell Jar shortly after being diagnosed and I found I somewhat connected with Plath's character. I have good days and bad days, and I never know when this 'bell jar' will come over me again. Sometimes I have to take a deep breath and remind myself that I am stronger than food & my warped relationship with it. So when I finally reached a goal weight of just above 100 lbs I decided to tattoo a snippet of a quote from The Bell Jar on my wrist: 'I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart: I am. I am. I am.' I am stronger. I exist for a reason. I now look down at my wrist and remember that beyond anything, all I need to remember is that I am." (credit:Cassandra St. John)
(07 of26)
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"All real, all me. Very much proud of them." (credit:Ingrid Leon)
(08 of26)
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"The anchors on my chest are a nod to my service in the Navy, I was in for 6 years before I decided to get out and start a family." (credit:Sonja Cook)
(09 of26)
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"This is a tribute to my late grandfather, who when I was a child, he would chase after me (with his false teeth out) and go 'FEE FI FO FUM, I smell the blood of an english man' then catch me, throw me up in the air, while I was laughing hysterically. This tradition kept on with next generations of grandkids, they all remember him fondly." (credit:Carrie Smith)
(10 of26)
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"For most of my life, I was really unhealthy. I ate a terrible diet, was not very active after childhood, felt pretty awful physically and I had very sad self-image to match. When I was 21 I decided it was time to work hard for something. I changed my diet to include more plant foods and less animal products, and I became much more active. After nine months of really hard work, learning how to cope with a compulsive eating disorder and going completely plant-based for ethical reasons, my life was totally changed. I lost 65 lbs, had never felt better in my life, was gaining confidence and had finally come to an agreement with myself that self-love was the way to go. For me, that meant listening to my body and doing the things that made me thrive. This tattoo symbolizes the physical, emotional and spiritual transformation I've gone through - the dedication it takes to live my truth, and the hard work and mystery of learning myself. After 22 years I finally had a backbone, and now I have structure, a foundation, for the rest of my life." (credit:Amber Grider)
(11 of26)
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"About 4 years ago I left an abusive marriage. My self-worth at that point was non-existent. I've worked hard over the past few years to heal & grow. I've had to learn to believe in myself again. I'm stronger & more self-assured now than ever before. I came up with the tattoo design myself. I wanted wings to go along with the word 'shine' simply because I believe in angels; but also, to remind myself to 'rise above' the judgements of others." (credit:Meenakshi Vahal)
(12 of26)
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"I got this tattoo a couple of years ago at the ripe old age of 42. It was a time in my life that I really needed to recommit to living my own truth and stop looking outside myself for validation. I needed to do something that felt drastic I guess, to help me move forward in that commitment. I'm genuinely surprised at how much strength I draw from it. It's a constant reminder that I am already powerful and strong just as I am." (credit:Jennifer Stewart)
(13 of26)
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"Each animal in my totem represents a part of my spiritual being. Starting at the bottom with the turtle, she nurtures and protects, the cheetah represents insight and focus, the most prominent animal being the bear, she is the guardian of my world representing instinct, power, courage, self-preservation, introspection and great strength. The bat represents rebirth and long life, the skull gives me safe passage into the afterlife, and last but not least the owl is my messenger for insight. These animals protect and guide my spirit through life and will always be with me." (credit:Katrina Cary )
(14 of26)
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"My tattoo expresses freedom from my scar that I always touched, it became a butterfly beautiful in my eyes." (credit:Arvetta D. Nelson )
(15 of26)
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"To celebrate her 18th birthday, my daughter wanted to get a matching tattoo with me. We decided on an open circle to symbolize a love with no end, protection and fundamental femininity. Now we are bound together forever by choice, unless we were already, in which case we've renewed our vows. For me, this experience was a profound honor and deeply validating as a mother." (credit:Ainsley Briggs)
(16 of26)
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"The Phoenix on my leg symbolizes every time I have had to start over in my life. My childhood was full of abuse at home, bullying at school and just the rotten end of the stick almost every time I turned around. A Phoenix burns at the end of its life and rises again from the ashes to create a new one. I have had to do that over and over again. My tattoo is reminder of my life before -- of the life I never want to go back to but never want to forget." (credit:Morgan Combs)
(17 of26)
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"My favorite tattoo is probably my lil lady owl. She's beautiful, and strong, and look at her little tears! She feels so much all the time. She's my mini-me, I guess; you can even see some of my freckles on her face. What my tattoos are to me is an expression of my own style. It is sort of like my identity on skin. Asking people to explain all their tattoos and give them meaning is a life story all in itself." (credit:CJ Dunbar )
(18 of26)
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"This tattoo really reflects my passion of both gaming and my immense pride for women's rights. She is my Shepard from the video game series 'Mass Effect.' I chose to combine her image with that of Rosie the Riveter because of how iconic the image is. As a proud feminist, I found merging my strong willed, military commander with Rosie to be a no-brainer! Both reflect justice and equality. My Shepard, as a strong woman, saved the galaxy and inspired me for the better. I adore my tattoo and the fact that I can have her any time I need her." (credit:Kelsey Foster)
(19 of26)
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"Some things are just an epiphany, really. I was showering. Thinking about how free I felt. As a woman. I suppose it was my 'wasted,' 'love-lorn' early twenties, coming to a head with my 'God I can't wait to be 30.' How strong and invincible (and scorned) I was starting to feel. I felt like a woman, howling at the moon." (credit:Brandy Downs)
(20 of26)
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"My tattoo is my powerful reminder that strength and resilience are always possible with complete faith and trust in God; that with Him I can fear nothing and can feel joy through it all. After my divorce I felt so broken and lost. Once I gave up trying to understand why these painful things were happening to me I released it all to God's hands and felt immediate peace and strength. I had to realize that my strength and happiness was held in a fearlessness of the future." (credit:Andie Hall)
(21 of26)
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"I've loved Frida Kahlo since I was a teenager, and I always wanted to have her portrait tattooed. I love her as a great artist and I love her for the incredible woman that she was. She's a symbol of strength and passion for me. Carrying her on my arm every day has definitely given me more strength and confidence in myself, and it has given me good luck! It's so much a part of me that I feel like I was born with it, and I feel like the more I learn about her the more I love it." (credit:Jessica DeTomasi)
(22 of26)
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"My tattoo started as a few flowers, it grew to a half sleeve and Im still going. The meaning is deep for me, I choose flowers because my grandmother loved flowers and did arrangements often, even for my wedding. She was the most important person in my life." (credit:Melissa Osman)
(23 of26)
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"When I was younger, my great uncle always told me, ""if you can't behave, be safe.' Every time I'd see my grandpa, he would tell me to 'Be bad.' When they both passed, I had these done. Two important men in my life, who didn't know each other, were basically telling me not to take life for granted." (credit:Ryan Tillery)
(24 of26)
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"I got this 'Butsi' tattoo when I was experiencing my first heart break after high school. To this day, I still remember how much pain I was in then and it became worse as I fell into an abusive relationship. This tattoo reminds me of that experience and how far I have come on my own. It symbolizes everything about me in one word in terms of strength, courage, pain, and love, but it is not an actual word. My oldest brother began calling me by this name one day when I was still a toddler. When anyone asks him how he came up with that name, he just says I looked like a 'Butsi.'" (credit:Lynn Tram )
(25 of26)
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"The words are actually from the 90's film 'Grace of My Heart.' The actual lyrics read: 'I never knew I was built so strong. My heart, my heart is a boat on the sea. I never knew I was built for Hurricanes. My heart, my heart is a boat on the sea.' My tattoo is a reminder that no matter the storm, whatever I encounter, my heart can only endure. I am a strong woman. I can handle anything. I am capable of still evolving even when I think I have nothing left to learn. My heart truly is a boat on the sea." (credit:Felicia Sabartinelli)
(26 of26)
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"My 'Live through this' is a reminder I survived preterm labors and loss of my twins. Born two weeks apart, Tierney was born still and Eden had her sunrise and sunset two weeks later, but I missed her whole life outside my womb. Why? I was hemorrhaging and my vitals not conducive with life. But I lived and I need that damn reminder to keep me strong and to keep me going!" (credit:Jake McKenna Ibarra )

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