In a world where tattooing has rapidly evolved into a global art form, few artists embody its emotional, cultural, and symbolic potential like Mané Dias. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, raised in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, and now based in San Francisco, Mané is not just a tattooer – she is a visual poet. Her ink tells stories that go far beyond skin, blurring the lines between body art, emotional therapy, and spiritual ritual.
A Personal Revolution on Skin
Mané’s tattoos are intimate, expressionistic, and deeply rooted in symbolism. Influenced by romanticism, art nouveau, and the spiritual essence of expressionist cinema and literature, her work draws seekers – those in search of connection, healing, and meaning. “Most of the motives are based on spiritual inward seeking,” she explains, “which is why my clients find my work relatable and deeply personal.”
Each piece she creates becomes a shared emotional experience. To her, tattooing is not just visual – it’s visceral. “Through my vision,” Mané says, “clients express their own vulnerability, reaching out to the therapeutic aspect of the act of getting a tattoo.” In her hands, a tattoo becomes more than body art – it becomes a mirror of the soul.
© Mané Dias
From Fake Skin to Global Recognition
Her journey began not in a prestigious art school or a famous tattoo shop, but in the humble intimacy of her own apartment in Kyiv. Self-taught in both visual art and tattooing, Mané first practiced on fake skin, family, and friends. Her first “studio” was a space she carved out herself, building her clientele through Instagram before landing a position at Kyiv’s Studio 22.
Soon after, she co-founded her own studio, Phase, in the heart of Kyiv – a creative hub that hosted art exhibitions and visiting artists. But in early 2022, the full-scale war in Ukraine forced its closure, changing the trajectory of Mané’s life and work.
© Mané Dias
Tattooing Through War and Across Borders
When war displaced her, Mané did what artists often do in times of chaos – she adapted. Relocating temporarily to Vienna, she tattooed at Hyper Human Wien before returning to Ukraine and beginning a new chapter of travel across Europe. From Berlin’s Iragana studio to Paris’s Rayon Noir and Amsterdam to Bucharest, she carved a niche for herself as a nomadic artist with a clear voice and singular vision.
Her drawings and paintings were also featured in exhibitions at Eye Sea Gallery in Kyiv, Lviv Art Center, and Modern City Hub in Zaporizhzhia. One of her standout collaborations was with Ukrainian fashion brand Nothing Holy, where her tattoo designs were translated into a capsule fashion collection – merging fashion, art, and identity.
The Move to America: A New Chapter in LA
In 2024, Mané received an invitation to join Sasha Tattooing Gallery in Los Angeles, marking a powerful transition in both her personal and professional journey. The pace of life in LA brought both clarity and complexity. “Los Angeles is overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time,” she reflects. “It’s important for me to be at peace with myself in order to create.”
Despite the challenges of reinvention, Mané has found a growing client base across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix. And this is only the beginning – her plans include continuing to travel, learn, and connect through her work.
A Philosophy Rooted in Imperfection and Presence
In a tattoo industry often obsessed with flawless lines and trending aesthetics, Mané offers a refreshing, grounded perspective. “Technique comes along once you have the vision,” she says. After mastering technical perfection early in her career, she intentionally moved away from the pursuit of flawlessness. “I stopped chasing the spotless ideal of graphical tattoos in order to create something more authentic, so obviously imperfect and tasteful.”
Her artistic tools are minimalistic – a wireless pen machine, round liners, and shaders that mimic the feel of pencil to paper. Whether she’s using charcoal for her drawings or ink for her tattoos, she prefers thick, expressive mediums that allow for instinctual creation and emotional depth.
The Ritual and Respect Behind Every Tattoo
Mané doesn’t romanticize the tattoo world as glamorous or rebellious. Instead, she describes it as “a very down-to-earth profession” that requires dedication, discipline, and compassion. For her, the ethics of tattooing aren’t about rules – they’re about humanity. “What’s important to me is being considerate, patient, and not judgmental toward my clients.”
Each tattoo session is a subtle dance between artist and collector. “Sometimes, silent exchange during the process is no less of a connection than a gossip session,” she says with a wink. She meets each client where they are – whether that’s in need of emotional connection or simply a beautiful design.
Not Just a Tattooer – A Storyteller
At the heart of Mané’s practice is storytelling. Her designs don’t just decorate – they reveal. Every line carries intention. Every symbol whispers something deeply human.
As she puts it: “Each design is a separate entity, but they all come from the same place after all – connecting, completing each other.”
