In this episode, Paulina and Jess talk with Priya Kaur Handa, our international relations (gadje/non-Romani) guest about the traditional roots of tattooing as a sacred or healing practice, and her work as an intuitive tattoo artist.

Priya is a tattoo artist based out of Brooklyn, New York. Born and raised in the Bay Area, California, Priya grew up with the influences of the Bay Area art scene along with doing work on community murals and painting for different social justice causes. When she started tattooing she wanted to find a way to bring the same intentions for healing and community into her tattoo work. From there and simultaneously being on her own healing journey she started doing Intuitive Tattoos at MINKA Brooklyn. Currently, she works as a painter, muralist, and tattoo artist. Follow Priya at @priya.k.handa.

Some inclusive tattoo studios that Priya loves in Oakland, CA are Amore Eterno Arte, Tres Leches, and Julay at Sacred Spirit Ink.  Priya also is inspired by artists Tamara Santibañez and their book Could This Be Magic?, muralist Brett Cook,  muralist Juana Alicia, and the artist collective Trust Your Struggle. 

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us expand. Our goal is to release 2 episodes a month, create video content, like an advice column and other treats, and we would also like to register as a nonprofit so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jess on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and you can find Jess’ vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Corona Del Mar, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

Support the show