Perla was 19 when she started tattooing. Leaving school at a young age when she became pregnant with her daughter, she had been studying physics and engineering, a world away from her current profession. As we sit in a coffee shop next to the Lana river, she explains to me how many young people in Albania end up studying what their parents want them to study, in particular professions that guarantee money and status, such as law or science. She tells me that her father was a little dubious that she could make a career out of her one true love; art.
Despite this, she continued doing what she loved which was being artistic; hailing from a gene pool of artists and craftsmen, it was no surprise that she was determined to pursue a creative route. Perla’s family include musical instrument makers, writers, musicians, 35 watchmakers, and Bahri Tufina who assembled the mechanism of the Clock of Tirana, one of the cities’ most famous landmarks.
Always with a sketchpad in her hand, she loves to draw the weird and wonderful things that pop into her mind, and when she was at home caring for her three-month-old baby, her drawing was a way of expressing herself and being free. After being inundated with requests to design tattoos for her friends, she decided to set up a Facebook page where she would design pieces for free, upon request. Two months later, amazed by the positive response to her work, her husband suggested she pursue tattoo design and tattooing seriously.
Perla travelled to Athens where she spent several months working as an apprentice working with some of the countries best artists.
“I told him, if I am good at this tell me and I will work my ass off if I am not good, tell me and don’t waste my time.”
Of course, as her work was exceptional she progressed quickly and soon found herself back in Tirana working with a range of local tattoo artists to expand her skill set.
If you look at her artwork- her sketches and her tattoos- you can see that like any real artist does, she passes through discernable phases. Punctuated by geometric lines, blocks of black ink, and the odd splash of red, her work can alternate between the whimsical and the dark, flowers and monsters- an ever-evolving portfolio that changes depending on where she is in her life. That said, her style is distinctly her own- something that every artist strives to achieve.
The conversation switches to the concept of legacy- something that is incredibly important to Perla. Coming from a family with such a creative history to live up to, the pressure is somewhat on but she has no intention of disappointing. As well as being Albania’s first female tattooist, a businesswoman, and an artist, she is also making her mark, quite literally on everyone she tattoos. By sharing her work, interpreting others visions into an unmistakeably “Perla” piece of art, and to contributing to a much-needed shift in the perception of art and artists, she is an incredible inspiration. But she is slightly torn.
She loves her country, there is no doubt about that, but she also expresses a desire for something more. She speaks of the frustration she has at the lack of true understanding of some art forms, feeling that many do not only not understand art to its full potential and that it is dismissed as “not a real job”. Explaining further, whilst she acknowledges that steps in the right direction are being taken, as a creator of art she finds it hard that society doesn’t seem to fully appreciate what artists do. This is an interesting perspective for me as I see Albania as a place full of vibrancy, colour, art, aesthetics, and creativity- a melting pot of culture and colours all simmering away, ready to overflow.
But she has a plan. Perla has a dream to open an arts centre here in Tirana that would bring together all the best creative minds under one roof whilst providing a space for ideas to flow. This cultural centre would be a space for tattoos, coffee, art, painters, galleries and exhibitions, handcrafted goods, workspaces, and more- encompassing everything about art in one place, we agree that this is something Tirana needs. Her idea is to encourage artistic development and opportunities for Albanians and to create an ecosystem where likeminded individuals can congregate and share dreams.
Art has always been a precursor to revolution and it has always signalled shifts in society before they happened. It is the work of people like Perla and other inspiring Albanian musicians, artists, thinkers, and designers that will truly make a change in this country- not politicians, even if they rule under the guise of being ‘artists’.
I hope Perla decides to stay in Albania and open her cultural centre; this place and the world needs seriously kick-ass women like her who are not afraid to do what they want, say what they want, be what they want, and own it at the same time. She is a shining example of why people should pursue their dreams, even if they go against the grain of societal constructs. She strives to be the best and she achieves it as well as not giving a damn what anyone thinks of her and her work. All she wants is for people to appreciate creativity more and for them to let it into their lives a little more, she also wants to leave a legacy.
She is already giving her daughter the opportunity to explore herself through art and music, and she strongly believes that making various artistic and creative avenues open to her is one of the best ways to fulfil her duty as a parent. Whilst she won’t push her into anything she doesn’t naturally gravitate towards, she is determined to support her in whatever path she chooses- be it creative, or otherwise.
Not only is Perla an extremely talented artist, but I admire her philosophy on creativity and being remembered. She is carving out a niche for herself that is totally unique, whilst still carrying on the creative streak that runs through her bloodline. But more than that, she serves as inspiration for young women who want to pursue a dream, but that might doubt their ability to be sufficient and independent using just their talents. She is a shining example of how it is possible to be succesful without compromising your values or passions- having children, making money, being successful- all of these things are possible in complete synchronicity with doing what you love, and what you are good at.
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