After 2 years, Koutla Tattoo is closing & being turned into a toilet. Even in my sadness, a tiny part of me finds this funny.
@hamiltonhousebristol has finally decided to install an accessible toilet (the building entrances are still inaccessible).
They informed me their need for a toilet was also tied to the new cafe, Stokes by the Orchard (
@theorchardcoffeeco ) getting an alcohol licence.
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They had options and renovating my studio was the cheapest and easiest.
When I was asked if I would give up the space, I was offered the possibility of renting a similar unit to encourage me to say yes.
I said no, and was then told my lease would not be renewed, and that the other similar unit did not exist.
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My studio started as a storage room. I renovated it myself, from painting and repairing the floor and walls, building cupboard doors to tiling the wall.
It's Bristol's first Black-owned tattoo studio.
A one person, Black, queer & disabled run space for handpoke tattoos, made with Black & Brown clients and those who don’t always see themselves reflected in the tattoo industry in mind.
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It was always meant to be a small, intimate space with an emerald(ish) floor.
I wanted people with melanated skin to walk in, see themselves in the artwork on the walls, and feel welcome.
I wanted a place to tattoo that felt like home.
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I tattoo part time while juggling another job, & studying. The studio was something I built to be sustainable around those other commitments.
Due to my personal life, health and finances, I am not in a place to set up somewhere new right now.
It feels exhausting and unfair to lose this space I've built and love just because it benefits someone else's plans and business.
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Koutla Tattoo will close at the end of September. I will be taking bookings there until mid September.
You can still find my tattoos and shop at
@sore_points I'm hoping to do some guest spots in the future, so keep an eye out.
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I want to think this is a pause, not a goodbye.
Thank you to everyone who came through my door and got a tattoo, especially anyone who removed Parma Violets from the sweet jar.
Bye for now xx
#bristoltattoo #handpoke #blacktattooartist #qttr
