NEWS
GOOD PEOPLE
HISTORY
LIFE HACKS
THE PLANET
SCIENCE & TECH
POLITICS
WHOLESOME
WORK & MONEY
Contact Us Privacy Policy
© GOOD Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Artist Gives Powerful Tattoos to Domestic Violence Survivors

A female tattoo artist hopes to turn symbols of oppression into reminders of resilience.

Image via Facebook embed

For many women, domestic violence leaves more than just a mental legacy—it produces indelible scars. While doctors often do their best to clean up the damage, their work (especially given the costs) can only go so far. That’s why Brazilian tattoo artist Flavia Carvalho decided to provide free tattoos to any women who’ve been victims of domestic violence, hoping to turn these violent reminders into real, empowering, art.


Known as “A Pele de Flor” (the skin of the flower), the artist has spent the past two years working on the project. While her focus has been on DV victims, she also provides tattoos free of charge to women who’ve undergone masechtomies. In an interview with The Huffington Post, Carvalho revealed:

“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 … They now post pictures in dresses, and they look happy, changed. It is transformative.”

Many of Carvhalo’s victims have been victims not only of domestic violence, but of gun violence. She is one of a few female tattoo artists in Brazil, and her work, she hopes, will catch on. Take a look at some of her transformative art either below or here on her Facebook.

(Via: The Huffington Post)

Projeto a Pele da Flor, a cicatriz foi causada por um tiro disparado pelo ex-namorado!A flor de cerejeira é símbolo da...

Posted by Flavia Carvalho - Daedra Art & Tattoo on Wednesday, September 2, 2015\n

Mais uma tattoo do Projeto A Pele da Flor! :D Muita gente perguntou se no projeto só se tatuam flores haha, não...

Posted by Flavia Carvalho - Daedra Art & Tattoo on Wednesday, August 26, 2015\n

Troque a violência pela #paz, troque o ódio pelo #amor... #apeledaflor #tattoovoluntaria #electricink #cwbtattoo

Posted by Flavia Carvalho - Daedra Art & Tattoo on Tuesday, August 4, 2015\n

More Stories on Good