Margaryta Istomina

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

I like to tie into my Ukrainian/Russian background with my the majority of my pieces and had always wanted the Moscow Kremlin on myself. I met with my artist Victoria Del Rio who had done my previous Matryoshka doll on my arm. I told her the elements I would like Kremlin, Russian bear, and the shield. We found a way to meld them together in a way that would translate beautifully on my side. The piece is very intricate and extends from below my armpit to the bottom of my hip.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

It would tell the story of a woman who was born in Ukraine and came here at a young age and has always wanted to look back to her country to rediscover a place that was only in her memories. I want to have my pieces tie myself back to a place that I have not yet had the chance to visit due to tensions and war. The place I had known growing up is never going to be the same, but I hope my future pieces can tie myself back to all of the good there was before the destruction. Nostalgia in its best.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would spend some of the money to ensure that my grandmother (who is 84 and still in the Ukraine) has access to her medicine as she is diabetic it is hard to find there. I would use some of it to continue my education as I am hoping to go to graduate school for Masters in Sport Management. New York is an amazing place but staying here while being a student is harder than most, this would help me ensure I would have something to build upon in the the future and still be able to pursue my dreams.