(vienna-based / global perspectives)
Hi, i’m Karo.
I have lived in Vienna for most of my life, with shorter stays in St. Petersburg and Istanbul. I have been drawing als long as I can remember. During my studies, I focused on critical feminism and the concept of autonomy, which became a central theme in my creative work, and led me to pursue tattooing eventually.
Through tattoos, we can autonomously decide to make parts of ourselves visible. We can permanently change our bodies and how others perceive us. This is a thrilling and beautiful process, and I am honored to be a part of it.
Check my instagram account @kariot.lines to see more of my work and @kariot.flash for available wannados.
My artistic language
I love to tattoo full, clean lines where graphic minimalism meets delicate fine-line elements. I am interested in how small details can carry a vast amount of meaning and expression.
Contrast: I enjoy the tension of fluid, organic lines clashing with clear shapes.
Freehand: I am especially fond of freehand projects, drawing intuitive lines directly onto the skin to interact with the body’s dynamics.
The philosophy of unmasking
My work often focuses on autonomy. How it is established, how it is systemically restricted and how its assessment can distort our perception. My “beasts unmasking” are exploring this theme visually. It’s very special to me, when they are chosen and find their match.
“Masking” is a term frequently used in neurodivergent communities (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc.) to describe the process of adapting oneself to neurotypical society to fit in. “Unmasking” is the process of acknowledging this dynamic and creating spaces where disguising difference is no longer a necessity.