Art knows no boundaries, and few artists embody this philosophy as seamlessly as Valeriia Puhach. A Ukrainian-born creator, Valeriia masterfully intertwines two seemingly contrasting disciplines—tattooing and ceramics—into a singular artistic vision. Her work explores transformation, storytelling, and the organic connection between the body and material, redefining the way we perceive both permanent and sculptural art. Today, we sit down with Valeriia for an exclusive live interview, delving into her inspirations, techniques, and the emotional depth behind her creations.
Interviewer: Today, we’re sitting down with Valeriia Puhach, a remarkable artist who bridges the worlds of tattooing and ceramics, blending these two seemingly different disciplines into a seamless expression of art. Valeriia, thank you for joining us!
Valeriia Puhach: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share my journey and artistic process with you.
Interviewer: Your artistic background is quite diverse. You started with academic art and architecture in Ukraine before transitioning into tattooing and ceramics. What led you down this path?
Valeriia Puhach: I think my journey has always been guided by curiosity and a desire to explore form and texture. My education at the Donbas National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture gave me a strong foundation in classical art, painting, and sculpture. That’s where I first encountered clay, and I was immediately drawn to its tactile nature. But at that time, I didn’t yet see how it would later connect to tattooing.
When I discovered tattooing, it felt like a revelation. Unlike working on a canvas or sculpting, tattooing is dynamic. It involves collaboration with a living, breathing canvas. The way ink flows on the skin, the way a composition interacts with a person’s body—it’s a fascinating process. But after years of tattooing, I found myself missing the physical sensation of creating with my hands, and that’s what brought me back to ceramics. Now, my art is an ongoing dialogue between the two.
Interviewer: That’s an interesting connection! How do you see tattooing and ceramics influencing each other in your work?
Valeriia Puhach: To me, they are both about transformation and storytelling. Skin and clay are both organic, flexible yet strong, and they both carry history. With tattooing, I work directly with a person’s form, designing pieces that enhance their body’s natural movement. With ceramics, I shape the material, letting it dictate part of the process.
My latest ceramic collection is directly inspired by tattoo culture. I use deep blue ink to create designs that resemble tattoos on porcelain. Some pieces have handles shaped like piercing rings, reinforcing the connection between body art and sculpture. It’s all about showing that art is fluid—it doesn’t have to exist in one strict form.
Interviewer: Your ceramic collection features symbolic imagery—serpents, blades, crowns of thorns. Can you tell us more about the meanings behind these pieces?
Valeriia Puhach: Absolutely. I love creating pieces that tell a story. Each design is symbolic, much like tattoos.
For example, The Dream Garden features two intertwined snakes—one has caught a butterfly, while the other has let it escape. To me, it represents choice, destiny, and the paths we take in life. Poisoned Blade is about resilience—a snake wrapped around a blade, not succumbing but instead using its own venom to fight back. Uroboros, a small vase with a snake biting its own tail, represents cycles—creation, destruction, rebirth. These pieces are inspired by tattoo motifs but reimagined on a different canvas.
Interviewer: Speaking of storytelling, your tattoos also have a unique approach. You often work freehand instead of using stencils. Why is that?
Valeriia Puhach: I love working directly on the body without a rigid stencil because it allows for a more organic flow. Every body is different, and I want my art to feel like it belongs to that person—not just as an image, but as part of their movement, their identity. Freehand tattooing gives me the freedom to adapt the design in real time, shaping it naturally to the contours of the skin.
Interviewer: You also specialize in working with scars and cover-up tattoos. What draws you to that aspect of tattooing?
Valeriia Puhach: It’s a very emotional and powerful part of my work. Scars tell a story, and covering them or incorporating them into a tattoo can be a form of healing. It’s about reclaiming one’s skin and transforming a difficult past into something beautiful. I work carefully with each client to create designs that not only cover but complement their scars, making them a part of the artwork rather than something to hide.
Interviewer: That’s such a meaningful approach. Do you see yourself continuing to balance tattooing and ceramics, or do you feel drawn more toward one than the other?
Valeriia Puhach: I don’t think I could ever choose just one! Tattooing will always be my passion because of its intimacy and collaboration with people. But ceramics allows me to step back, work at a different pace, and experiment with form and material in a way that tattooing doesn’t. The two are constantly influencing each other in my work. I think as long as I’m creating, I’ll always find ways to merge different artistic disciplines.
Interviewer: Lastly, what’s next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon?
Valeriia Puhach: I’m working on expanding my ceramic collection and experimenting with new techniques. I’m also traveling to different tattoo conventions this year, connecting with other artists and learning new approaches. And, of course, I’m always looking for ways to push my work further—whether through new tattooing styles, different ceramic glazing techniques, or even combining the two mediums in unexpected ways.
Interviewer: That sounds incredible! Thank you so much, Valeriia, for sharing your insights and passion with us. Where can our readers follow your work?
Valeriia Puhach: Thank you! You can find me on Instagram at @valeriatattooing, where I share my latest tattoos and ceramics. I’d love for people to join me on this journey!
Interviewer: Be sure to check out Valeriia’s work—her art is truly something special. Thanks again, Valeriia!
Valeriia Puhach: Thank you! It was a pleasure talking with you.