Brazilian tattoo artist is helping survivors of domestic abuse cover their scars with 'empowering' works of body art for free

  • Flavia Carvalho aims to transform the way women cope with their scars
  • The 31-year-old began her ‘Skin of the Flower’ project two years ago
  • She was inspired by a client who wanted to cover large scar on abdomen
  • The woman had been attacked by a man she turned down at a nightclub 
  • Now, Carvelho hopes her artwork will give the women a self-esteem boost  
  • Shares before and after shots, as well as the women's stories, on Facebook

A Brazilian tattoo artist is helping victims of domestic violence heal by covering up their scars with beautiful works of body art for free.

Flavia Carvalho’s project, ‘A Pele da Flor’ or the ‘Skin of the Flower’, aims to transform the way women cope with the scars they have received from domestic abuse.

Carvalho, 31, from Curitiba, aims to give her clients, including those whose scars are a result of mastectomies, a boost in their self-esteem by creating an empowering piece of art on their bodies.

Brazilian tattoo artist Flavia Carvalho (pictured) is covering up scars women have received from domestic violence and mastectomies with beautiful tattoos for free

Brazilian tattoo artist Flavia Carvalho (pictured) is covering up scars women have received from domestic violence and mastectomies with beautiful tattoos for free 

The idea came for the project came to her two years ago after she was touched by a client’s story, who had wanted to cover up a large scar she had on her abdomen.

‘She told me that she was at a nightclub, and she turned down a man who approached her, he stabbed her with a switchblade,’ Carvalho told the Huffington Post.

‘When she saw the finished tattoo, she was extremely moved, and that deeply touched me.

‘I was suddenly struck by the idea of providing free tattoos to women who were left with scars following domestic violence or mastectomies.

‘Each tattoo would act as an instrument for empowerment and a self-esteem booster’.

Alongside before and after shots shared on Facebook, she posts the women's stories. The woman pictured above had a scar caused by a bullet fired by her ex-boyfriend, but the cherry blossom that now covers it is a 'symbol of femininity' and the beauty of life
Alongside before and after shots shared on Facebook, she posts the women's stories. The woman pictured above had a scar caused by a bullet fired by her ex-boyfriend, but the cherry blossom that now covers it is a 'symbol of femininity' and the beauty of life

Alongside before and after shots shared on Facebook, she posts the women's stories. The woman pictured above had a scar caused by a bullet fired by her ex-boyfriend, but the cherry blossom that now covers it is a 'symbol of femininity' and the beauty of life 

This women sent Facebook messages to Carvalho to express her gratitude after she covered scars she received after being stabbed numerous times in the abdomen

This women sent Facebook messages to Carvalho to express her gratitude after she covered scars she received after being stabbed numerous times in the abdomen

Carvelho says she has been contacted by women from all over the world since launching her project
Carvelho says she has been contacted by women from all over the world since launching her project

Carvelho says she has been contacted by women from all over the world since launching her project

The idea came for the project came to her two years ago after she was touched by a client’s story, who had wanted to cover up a large scar she had on her abdomen

The idea came for the project came to her two years ago after she was touched by a client’s story, who had wanted to cover up a large scar she had on her abdomen

To spread awareness for her cause, Carvalho uses her Facebook page to share before and after pictures of the scars.

Alongside the pictures, she tells the women’s stories and how they received their injuries.

And since launching her project, Carvalho says she has been contacted by women from all over the world.

She added: ‘The sense of affection, sisterhood and camaraderie is deeper than I ever imagined.

‘They come to the studio, share their stories of pain and resilience and they show me their scars.’

In a post on her page, she added: ‘I have no words to describe the happiness that I feel with all the feedback that I have received.

To raise awareness for the cause, Carvelho tells her followers how the women sustained their injuries, including this woman, who was attacked with shards of broken glass

This woman was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend, but Carvelho covered the scars with a colorful tattoo
This woman was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend, but Carvelho covered the scars with a colorful tattoo

This woman was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend, but Carvelho covered the scars with a colorful tattoo for free

‘Women feeling welcomed with the idea - telling their stories of pain and overcoming that make me cry like a child in front of the computer.

‘Girls of 14 and 15 years that have been raped and wondering what to do, coming to me asking for guidance.’

But she adds that her project is one small step towards a much bigger goal.

‘It is a grain of sand,’ she said. ‘The world is full of things that need to be addressed.

‘We have a long way to go regarding protecting women against violence.’

Carvelho also tattoos women whose scars are a result of mastectomies, as she believes these deeply affect a woman's relationship with her body

Carvelho also tattoos women whose scars are a result of mastectomies, as she believes these deeply affect a woman's relationship with her body

She covered this 55-year-old woman, whose scars were large, with lotus flowers as a symbol of rebirth

She covered this 55-year-old woman, whose scars were large, with lotus flowers as a symbol of rebirth

 

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