Interview with the Tattoo-Artist Stavros "Risto" Pavlidis [EN]

This is the original wording of the interview with the tattoo artist Stavros „Risto“ Pavlidis, which was published here in a German translation.

If you’re looking for a gallery for dark art, you’ll also come across the Dark Gallery by Risto. I got to know Risto in 2022. The Dark Gallery was a tattoo studio in the heart of Bochum. It also hosted concerts and changing art exhibitions. I also had the opportunity to exhibit my work as an artist in this very cool, rock-inspired atmosphere. Unfortunately, this great location had to close its doors, which I find very sad. But Risto is still active as a tattoo artist and artist.

Hi Risto, it’s great to be interviewing you today. You are an artist with heart and soul. When did you realize your calling?

Hei Dani. Thank you so much for this. You should know that this is my first interview ever. First I would like to say some words about Dark Gallery by Risto. Its the reason I am here in Germany thanks to my dear friends who make this dream come true.
I couldn’t do that alone. Dark Gallery was a spot of art where I had the honor to meet very interesting people and amazing artists. Axel Rudi Pell, Jen Majura, Matthias Degener, Björn Gooßes and the Painted in Blood, Jerome Reil and the Reil of Violence, Andrian & Meredith(USA), Wait What, Dark Sun,Ink (GR), Barbadia and Flothic was some of them. And of course you.
Unfortunately cancer hit my door and we closed. That was sad for us and for our supporters. But as you said I am still active or better I am still alive.
Now about the calling. I can say it comes in my erly age. When I was 5 years old I saw from my balkony people getting tattoos in a home studio in the other side of the street. From that moment tattoo stuck in my brain somehow and to became an artist was my goal. As I grow up istudy graffic arts and I had some wonderfull teachers who open my eyes about what art is. So here I am.

You’ve been working as a tattoo artist since 2010, right? This job requires a lot of creativity, but also manual dexterity and precision. You also need a lot of patience—which I unfortunately don’t have. Nothing must go “wrong”—in the truest sense of the word. Have you ever had a mishap? Or is there a story you’d like to tell us?

Yes professionaly, but I start few years earlier. I had already artistic backround so I started experimental with tattoos to fulfill my childhood dream. Back then everything was difficult, no internet videos and no help from older artists. I had to find out by myself the hard way. It was magical. Slowly I build up the skills and the patience. In this trip you never stop learning. Honestly I never had problems but with alive canvas anythink can go wrong but with exrerience everything can be fixed.

In my opinion, tattoo artists are people who also have a certain influence on others. They can build or strengthen self-confidence. They create beautiful memories, but also help people cope with trauma or difficult periods in their lives. Then there’s cover-ups. You also have to be a good listener, right?

For me this is the magic of tattoos. All the process is like ritual. I need to hear the story behind any idea so I can design something as unique as possible for everyone. The art of tattoo is ancient and powerfull, when you get a tattoo you overcome yourself. Any tattoo session is sacred. It`s like a therapy for artist too, we shared a magical moment. And we must be good listeners for sure.

Do you have a favorite style or motif that you particularly enjoy tattooing?

There are many different tattoo styles I can work with as an artist. I could never focus in one style only. But I really love to do custom work and black and gray realistic tattoos.

What would be taboo or a no-go for you?

I don`t really have any taboos but a face tattoo is a big NO specially if you are not fully covered. I also avoid tattoos that people will gonna regret in the future.

As an artist, you don’t just work with ink, you also draw a lot with pencil. That makes sense, since you have to make sketches and preliminary drawings. I know you, Risto, as a great person with a lot of humor and a big heart. It’s noticeable that you very often portray beautiful but also dark women. Often in connection with morbidly romantic symbols such as skulls, snakes, roses, butterflies, or thorns. Despite the dark themes, your motifs are often very aesthetic. You are certainly fascinated by horror films. What else inspires you to create these motifs?

Yes I love to draw with my pencils a lot. That helps me as a tattoo artist to get more practice. In my artwork I use very often symbols like a hidden language for things I wanna say but i don`t. I love flowers and skulls but a beautiful muse can always inspired me. I try to find beauty in darkness too.

You also listen to metal and rock music. Does music influence your art? Do you also deal with current topics, or is it the dark and fantasy realm that appeals to you?

Music is very important in every part of my life not just in my art. I couldn`t live and create without it. I have done a lot of different paintings from portraits and landscapes to animals and still nature. I hate to stuck with one topic.

You also work with a brush or an airbrush. Illusion painting is part of your repertoire. I remember the red-haired lady in the skimpy black dress with Cerberus—the three-headed hellhound—that you immortalized in your gallery. You’re originally from Greece. Is that why you depict Greek mythology? Do you also accept commissions?

Art is endless. There are no limits. As an artist I was part in over 20 personal and team art exhibitions. I still want to try and learn and create more. For tattoos and paintings to airbrush and illusion wall paintings, clothes painting, jewelry and sculpture, never ending list of wanna dos.
I believe that all the artists have some greek muses dancing in their heads. Greek mythology happents to be full of stories of Gods and Goddesses, heroes and monsters to teach and inspire anyone. Sure I am open for commissions if there are interesting.

Where can we admire your art at the moment? Are there any exhibitions planned? Can we look forward to a new Dark Gallery in a different location in the future?

As you know the last 2 years I was out of work , lost fighting to come back to normal life. I couldn`t plan any new exhibitions. Hopefully soon. You can always have a small taste of my work in my instagram page (RistoArt). A new Dark Gallery is always in my mind but now its hard and a little bit early for that step. It would be great to have a place full of art again.

I really want to thank from my heart again for this interview, I wish all the best to all of my friends.

„LET LOVE WIN ALL FEARS“

Thank you, Risto!
We wish you all the strength and courage you need to overcome this f***ing disease. All the best! We hope to see you soon!

(Editor’s note: The interview was conducted in writing. That’s why we only found out about Risto’s illness now.)