What Happens When You Combine Ceramics With Prison Tattoos? Pure Art

Tel-Aviv-based artist Valeria Monis blends two seemingly opposite mediums – tattoos and ceramics – into pieces of art, that are also functional. Take, for example, her tea set. At first glance, you might think it’s a traditional blue porcelain set; but upon closer look, you’ll notice the intricate designs of skulls and roses – motifs taken from Russian prison tattoos.

“Since graduating in 2015, I tell stories with the objects I create,” explains Monis on her website. “Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, raised in Haifa city, living and working in Tel-Aviv, IL, looking for inspiration everywhere.”

Each of her ceramic pieces is designed, crafted and illustrated handmade, incorporating illustrations taken from photographs, personal stories, and the Soviet police prison files. Just like an original tattoo, each plate is a single edition.

And you too can own her one of her kind pieces. Your guests will surely admire them.

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