Kirill Gryadunov is a 32-year-old tattoo artist with 12 years of experience and a lifelong passion for drawing. Inspired by global art, literature, and poetry, he creates deeply conceptual tattoos that transcend traditional stylistic boundaries. In the following interview, he shares more about his artistic journey, creative influences, and the philosophy behind his work.
Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing your journey as a tattoo artist?
My name is Kirill Gryadunov, I am 32 years old, and I have been tattooing for 12 years.
I have been drawing all my life and have a deep interest in global art, literature, and poetry.
My knowledge of world culture helps me create unique conceptual ideas and tattoos beyond stylistic boundaries.
Your style is unique and abstract. What drew you to this style, and how would you describe it?
I can work in any style, but Abstract is the quintessence of technique and meaning for me.
Behind its naive, plotless simplicity lies a deep context of world epochs. Understanding this requires years of intellectual and cultural work; otherwise, it is just scribbles.
I do not simply juggle separate objects and their meanings—I juggle entire genres that embody objects, manifestos, and paradigms.
That is why I call my style ‘METAMODERN’.
What inspires your work?
I am inspired by my intellectual and spiritual hunger for eternal self-improvement and new knowledge.
This is what I sublimate into my creative manifestos.
My works are not just pictures—they are statements.
How do you approach the process of designing your tattoos?
I draw and write extensively, sketching and recording thoughts.
From these, I create finished compositions and paintings.
During tattoo sessions, I often design directly on the body, treating it as a living canvas.
You recently held an ink art gallery show—can you tell us more about it?
I had always dreamed of injecting something fresh and unconventional into tattoo culture—elevating it to fine art and bringing it into gallery spaces.
No one in the tattoo industry had ever done anything like this before.
My vision came to life through a gallery exhibition, where my works were displayed on real people instead of traditional canvases.
After a month of intense preparation, I curated lighting, costumes, decorations, live canvases, and a sound design, culminating in a centerpiece installation: a classic tattoo needle transformed into an art piece titled ‘Transhumanism’.
I left my mark on the culture of a new era, on contemporary art.
And now, I invite you to experience this metamodernist transformation.
Your Instagram promotion is impressive! How do you feel about self-promotion on social media, and how does it impact a tattoo artist’s career?
I believe that the strength of a personal brand directly affects an artist’s demand.
The more visible and impactful you are in life and on social media, the more you are noticed and valued.
Many tattoo artists struggle with self-promotion.
That’s why I created an online training course that helps them recognize the value of personal branding and significantly enhance their presence in the industry.
What has been your favorite project recently, and what made it special for you?
One of my most striking tattoos is a black-and-white abstraction covering an entire body.
I pour my soul into every piece, but this one took four consecutive days—10 hours per day—to complete.
The result was powerful. See for yourself.
Your paintings are stunning as well. Do you have formal art education, or is painting a personal passion?
As a child, I graduated from art school and music college.
Later, I worked as a theater set designer for several years.
This is my personal passion, backed by academic knowledge.
Thank you for your time!
Let’s connect and create something extraordinary together.
