In her quest to express herself, Krishna Wadhwani experimented with various media, including animation and makeup, but eventually found her calling as a tattoo artist. The Hong Konger speaks to her about the challenges she faces as a non-Chinese artist, what first drew her to the profession, and what she’d like to see changed in terms of how ethnic minorities are viewed in the city.
If you met someone unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe it to them?
To those unfamiliar with tattooing and piercing, I would say it’s a medical procedure and I would stress that they do their research and invest in a good artist. What we do is not as simple as drawing. We are working with needles, skin and blood. Being infected with diseases such as HIV from reused needles or the use of piercing guns is an example of what can go wrong if a client prioritises price over quality. Their health is not something they should gamble with. I believe in quality over quantity and it can often take me days to complete a large tattoo project.
What makes Hong Kong special to you?
Hong Kong has such a nice duality between the “big city” and the outdoors. Being out in nature is such an important thing for maintaining health, inspiration and getting some serotonin. I often hike or paddle board and, although I’ve lived here all my life, there are still so many places I have yet to discover. There is that same beautiful blend when it comes to modern and traditional locations and beliefs. The villages and temples are stunning and I love it that culture is retained despite Hong Kong being a big city focused on business and finance.
What was it about being a tattoo artist that first attracted you to the profession?
Most people decide to get tattooed when it holds significance for them, such as selecting a memorial piece when they have lost a loved one, or capturing a memory or message they want to live by. Often, people go through painful experiences that leave scars and trauma. One of the most beautiful parts of my job is that I have the privilege of working with them to decorate their scars and turn a painful memory into something beautiful.
As a tattoo artist, what are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you deal with them?
The greatest challenge in my career was finding a mentor. There are no schools that teach this artform. In this industry, one must do an apprenticeship at a studio and learn both technical skills and sanitation from the experienced artists there. What helped me was my dedication and not taking no for an answer. I approached several tattoo shops and artists to mentor me, but in vain. After trying for a long time, I was very lucky to find one. I faced some challenges in cultural understanding and communication as my mentor mainly spoke in Cantonese, but I’m grateful for how he was able to guide me at the start of my journey. My family helped me translate his lessons and I did a lot of self study online.
What’s one thing you’re most proud of in your career?
There is more than one! Learning to communicate through language barriers, managing complex interpersonal relationships with clients, travelling overseas to add to my skills and learning how to pierce. Despite the difficulties, I’ve managed to get myself up, dust myself off and keep going. I’m proud to look back at my work after every year that passes and see how much I’ve progressed.
If you could change one thing about how Hong Kong views its ethnic minorities, what would that be and why?
The term Hong Konger can refer to anyone who identifies the city as their home, regardless of their skin colour or origins. Although I was born and raised here, I am treated differently when trying to accomplish basic things, such as renting a flat. Because I’m ethnically Indian, assumptions about my career, opinions and life are made based on stereotypes. People will often ask me if my family accepts my career choice or whether I’ll be forced into marriage, among other things. I’d love to live in a Hong Kong where the answers to those questions aren’t assumed and we can understand people for who they are, regardless of how they look.
