Anna Koesel

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

In 2022 I reached out to a tattoo artist in based Toronto for a piece inspired by ‘My Neighbor Totoro.’ I had grown up with the film, and loved its 1950s set story of Shinto folklore. I booked my appointment and my family and I drove the nine hours, crossing a border in the process.Unfortunately, less than 24 hours later we had to return home because my mother got sick. In 2024 I made the pilgrimage again, and I connected with Shan Gao of Flow Tattoos, who gave me my first internatio

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

Most of my life has been framed through stories. As an autistic woman, I find I contextualize my experiences through the media I consume. If my tattoos could speak they’d remind me not only my autonomy over my by body, but would help me remember the storytelling that has taught me how to be my most authentic, curious, empathetic self.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would pay for graduate school at the University of Edinburgh, studying creative writing, art, and film. The rest of the money I would invest in supporting disability and Deaf rights, my local library, and queer youth.