The world of tattoos, often celebrated for personal expression and artistic skill, is once again navigating a storm of controversy. A Berlin-based tattoo artist, Mykhailo, 21, has found himself defending a recent back tattoo he completed, and its associated price tag of €900 (approximately $976). The design, which has quickly circulated online, has sparked a fierce debate about artistic value, pricing, and the boundaries of tattoo artistry.
The controversy began when Mykhailo posted a TikTok video showcasing the completed tattoo. The design features what many viewers have described as “scribbles” – a series of squiggly lines and palm tree-like shapes across the customer’s back. The video quickly went viral, amassing over two million views, but not for the reasons Mykhailo likely intended. Comments flooded in, ranging from disbelief at the design’s simplicity to outrage over the nearly $1,000 price.
“My kids can scribble better than this,” one commenter wrote. Another stated they “wouldn’t get this tattoo if someone paid me 900 euro and gave the tattoo for free.” The criticism extended beyond the aesthetic, with some accusing Mykhailo of taking advantage of his client.
Responding to the backlash, Mykhailo spoke with Insider to provide context. While the specifics of his explanation haven’t been fully detailed in available reports, he sought to clarify the reasoning behind the price and the artistic intent of the design. This isn’t the first time a tattoo artist has faced public scrutiny over pricing and style. The cost of tattoos varies widely, dependent on size, detail, artist experience, and location. Larger, more intricate designs naturally command higher prices, but the perceived value remains subjective.
This incident echoes a similar debate that unfolded last year, as reported by LadBible, where Mykhailo also faced criticism for an abstract, “scribble-like” design and its price. That earlier controversy highlighted the growing trend of unique, abstract tattoo styles and the challenges artists face in justifying their pricing to a public often accustomed to more traditional designs.
The current situation also touches upon a broader conversation within the tattoo community about the definition of “art” and the role of the artist. While some view tattoos as purely decorative, others see them as a deeply personal and expressive art form. This perspective often justifies higher prices, particularly for artists with established reputations and unique styles.
The debate isn’t limited to aesthetic preferences and pricing. A separate, and more serious, controversy recently emerged involving a tattoo artist in Arizona, Sosa, who tattooed a nine-year-old girl with an American flag. While legally permissible in his state with parental consent, the act sparked widespread condemnation online. Sosa even recounted a prior attempt to tattoo the same client with a portrait of Donald Trump, which he reportedly discouraged, suggesting a more “patriotic” design instead. The tattoo, initially priced at $500 but accepted at $80, further fueled the debate about the ethics of tattooing minors.
This case, reported in January 2025, underscores the ethical considerations within the tattoo industry, particularly regarding age and consent. While legal frameworks vary, the consensus among many is that tattooing children, even with parental permission, is ethically questionable due to the permanence of the procedure and the child’s limited capacity to fully understand the implications.
The incidents involving Mykhailo and Sosa highlight the diverse challenges facing the tattoo industry today. From navigating subjective artistic tastes and justifying pricing to addressing ethical concerns surrounding age and consent, tattoo artists are increasingly operating in a public sphere where their work is subject to intense scrutiny. The rise of social media platforms like TikTok has amplified these debates, allowing for instant feedback and widespread dissemination of both positive and negative experiences.
Beyond the specific cases, the broader tattoo landscape is marked by a growing number of “tattoo fails” – instances where tattoos are poorly executed or simply don’t meet the client’s expectations. Bored Panda recently compiled a list of 50 such examples, showcasing the risks associated with choosing inexperienced or unlicensed artists. This underscores the importance of thorough research and careful selection when choosing a tattoo artist.
The ongoing discussions surrounding these incidents are likely to continue shaping the conversation around tattoo artistry, ethics, and consumer expectations. As the industry evolves, artists will need to navigate these challenges while upholding their artistic integrity and maintaining the trust of their clients. The case of Mykhailo’s back tattoo serves as a potent reminder that in the world of body art, perception is often as important as execution.
