We were lucky to catch up with Galí Pozdniakova recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Galí thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
One of the most significant risks I’ve taken was escaping Russia in response to the war in Ukraine that began on February 22, 2022. Before this, I had a stable and successful life. When our government invaded Ukraine, where I had many friends, the repression became unbearable. People were being jailed just for speaking out in their social media, and I knew I had to leave immediately.
In 48 hours, I packed my whole life into one suitcase, left my little tattoo studio as it was, and bought a one-way ticket out of the country. I had no plan, no savings, and no support from family or anywhere else. My tattooing skills and social media following literally saved my life at that point.
Over the next year, I lived in ten different countries. My tattoos and online presence helped me connect with local shops willing to host me, allowing me to survive and adapt.
This journey taught me resilience, adaptability, and the power of community. The support of my partner and the trust of my clients kept me going. Every tattoo I did was a reminder of human connection and the transformative power of art. This experience reinforced the importance of taking risks and pursuing one’s passion despite overwhelming odds.
I hope to be able to return home when it’s safe for me and my family. Until then, I will continue to use my social media to speak the truth about this war.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a tattoo artist originally from Russia, now based in California. I specialize in non-electric tattooing, also known as handpoke. This traditional technique allows for intimate, precise, and highly detailed tattoos, often described as less painful and more personal.
Now I work at Outer Limits Tattoo & Museum, the oldest operating tattoo shop in the country, open since 1927. Owned by the legendary artist Kari Barba, this historic shop blends vintage charm with modern artistry, making it a unique space for tattoo enthusiasts.
I am passionate about the history of tattooing and draw inspiration from vintage tattoo art. My work primarily features my own flash designs, though I occasionally take on custom projects. I aim to honor traditional tattoo practices while bringing a fresh, modern perspective to each piece.
What sets me apart is my dedication to preserving the handpoke technique and creating tattoos with significant personal meaning. My approach is centered around collaboration, ensuring each tattoo reflects the client’s unique story.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
A key mission driving my creative energy is to bridge the gap between the past and the present in tattooing. I aim to honor traditional tattoo practices while introducing fresh, modern perspectives. By doing so, I strive to create tattoos that are not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful, fostering a sense of connection and timelessness.
Another significant part of my art is politically inspired, drawing from the most shameful aspects of my native culture—Russian criminal tattooing. Today, much of the Russian opposition is either imprisoned or forced to leave the country to escape this unlawful “justice.” I find inspiration in these dark sides, and by remaking Soviet criminal tattoos, I highlight that some things remain unchanged for decades, even though they should.
My technique drags inspiration from old school methods of tattooing, even though it’s pretty much modern since I use regular premade needles just like in a tattoo machine. So my goal is to keep old techniques alive but keep it safe and modern. Nowadays there’s so many great tattoo artists so it’s important to stand out. I believe in our crazy world sometimes we really need to slow done and reflect. That’s exactly what a new tattoo helps us with.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Building my audience on social media has been all about authenticity and connection. At first, I thought maintaining a professional presence meant only showing my work and keeping a flawless image. But I quickly realized that people connect with people, not just polished portfolios.
A turning point for me was sharing more about my personal life—my family, hobbies, and even my ups and downs. For example, when I started dancing, I was hesitant to share it because I wasn’t very good at it. But it was an important part of my life, and sharing it made me more relatable.
One of the biggest responses I get is when I share my “bad” days and the problems I deal with. It makes me feel vulnerable, but it also shows my audience that I’m just as human as they are. This vulnerability helps people trust me with something as important as a permanent mark on their body.
Of course, it’s important to keep privacy and safety in mind, especially as a woman in today’s world. But showing your real self—mistakes and all—makes a huge difference. Now, I have almost 100k followers on Instagram, and I believe it’s because I let people see the real me, not just the perfect version.
In summary, being real and relatable has helped me build a strong social media presence. People appreciate seeing both the professional and personal sides, and it’s made my connections with my audience much deeper.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sad.in.jail?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094487093384&mibextid=kFxxJD
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sad.in.jail.tattoo?_t=8od4YMVzvh9&_r=1
Image Credits
Pics by Connor Schaal (main pic and with red tattoo sign)
Pic by Megan Cody (portrait with white background)
All the rest tattoos and art by me