A Tattoo Parlour or an Art Space? 6:19 Studio in Kiev by Balbek Bureau.

Located in Kyiv’s historic neighbourhood of Podil, 6:19 Studio is a tattoo parlour set within the ground floor of a residential building. Founded by Ukrainian artist Ulyana Nesheva, the inaugural 111sqm interior was to become a reflection of Ulyana’s unique style and artistic vision.

Balbek Bureau’s goal was to design a tattoo parlour that resembled a contemporary art space. Ulyana herself adds – “The concept of the studio is also that all our artists, despite the diversity of their styles and colours, are united by an exploration of minimalism. Simplicity is the ultimate goal and the highest form of complexity.”

Pursuing the concept of minimalism with a black & white palette, Balbek Bureau opened up the interior and focused on each interior element, elevating it into an art object.

There are almost no doors in the studio – with all areas unified, visitors enter a large open space. To the right of the entrance is a soft waiting area, and to the left, a uniquely shaped, 360kg graphite concrete table. Its edges were created by hand, an homage to unique and individual tattoo art undertaken in the studio. This piece unites all areas, serving a dual purpose as a reception desk and a work surface for artists to design their future works. Its velvety-matte surface sits in stark contrast with the shiny vintage table lamp of polished chrome.

During the construction work, Balbek Bureau opened up all the walls discovering all interior partitions are made of brick and foam, and tops lined with plasterboard. “We liked the idea of showing this multi-layered wall, so this was implemented spontaneously during construction,” explains the team.

Other notable pieces found throughout the interior include vintage black leather and chrome metal chairs by Mart Stam; metal hangers, high chairs and tables from Ukrainian brand propro; and “Boy” sculpture by artist Christina Ridzel. Split mirror by two Kyiv sculptors from H&CO SCULPTURE STUDIO is symbolic of Podil – the place where Ulyana began her career, where she lives and works today (and where the tattoo parlour is located).

Related: Say No Mo Beauty Salon in Kyiv, Ukraine by Balbek Bureau.

[Images courtesy of Balbek Bureau. Photography by Yevhenii Avramenko and Nata Kurylenko.]