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MDF.016: Queer refugee, Cairo Tattoo Convention , Scars project, Mom, Painting, Dognapped
Orne Gil (she/her) - Berlin 2016
Yes you, look into @g.orne / @nowhereland_tattooberlin / @queereroticatattoo
While I was still making my way around the globe tattooing it was time to see the pyramids (having felt very drawn to Cairo since I could remember). Arriving in a new country, no language skills, nowhere to sleep, nowhere to work, and having no friends was my method for a bunch of years was my norm (I was then chasing tattooing with little concern for the future but seemed to still land on my feet). An old co-worker mentioned that he had gone to the first Cairo Tattoo Convention and offered to introduce me to the host Orne (who offered to kindly host me). It was most important that the people could afford to get tattooed (making myself accessible for the people not able to spend their monthly incomes).
Several trips to countries came with fearful warnings to not be queer in any way (which felt unsettling knowing that I was only visiting, that I would go back into my life of chosen safety, but the other queers were stuck there). I was asked to remove any indication of my queerness which was tricky to do (but dangerously illegal to be so there, where people were also living) so humbly I obliged. We raced through Cairo from the airport sweating as they all smoked (it felt like I was in for an adventure but had no idea yet). I got the sickest I might have ever been, Orne's dog got stolen, her Mom came to help find her from Italy, the dog was rescued, we ate great food, I tattooed folks, and saw the pyramids).
A few weeks later I received a call from Cairo asking for help to immigrate queer refugees that had been arrested by the sex police. I was not able to help my friends directly (somehow magically the universe provided them safe passage to Berlin). Germany is the safest place in the EU for queer refugees seeking asylum. Since then Orne has guested with me and other studios (squatted an important last stand fem queer house, started her own studio twice, become a political queer tattooer and gives back to communities).
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By Brody PolinskyOrne Gil (she/her) - Berlin 2016
Yes you, look into @g.orne / @nowhereland_tattooberlin / @queereroticatattoo
While I was still making my way around the globe tattooing it was time to see the pyramids (having felt very drawn to Cairo since I could remember). Arriving in a new country, no language skills, nowhere to sleep, nowhere to work, and having no friends was my method for a bunch of years was my norm (I was then chasing tattooing with little concern for the future but seemed to still land on my feet). An old co-worker mentioned that he had gone to the first Cairo Tattoo Convention and offered to introduce me to the host Orne (who offered to kindly host me). It was most important that the people could afford to get tattooed (making myself accessible for the people not able to spend their monthly incomes).
Several trips to countries came with fearful warnings to not be queer in any way (which felt unsettling knowing that I was only visiting, that I would go back into my life of chosen safety, but the other queers were stuck there). I was asked to remove any indication of my queerness which was tricky to do (but dangerously illegal to be so there, where people were also living) so humbly I obliged. We raced through Cairo from the airport sweating as they all smoked (it felt like I was in for an adventure but had no idea yet). I got the sickest I might have ever been, Orne's dog got stolen, her Mom came to help find her from Italy, the dog was rescued, we ate great food, I tattooed folks, and saw the pyramids).
A few weeks later I received a call from Cairo asking for help to immigrate queer refugees that had been arrested by the sex police. I was not able to help my friends directly (somehow magically the universe provided them safe passage to Berlin). Germany is the safest place in the EU for queer refugees seeking asylum. Since then Orne has guested with me and other studios (squatted an important last stand fem queer house, started her own studio twice, become a political queer tattooer and gives back to communities).