From Macedonia to Prague, tattoo artist Deni Shalamanov has engraved his place in the city’s evolving ink scene, where Yart Tattoo Space has been standing in Smíchov since 2020.

For Deni, the journey to tattooing didn’t start with a machine, but from the captivation of lines and composition.

“Since I was a child, I have been interested in tattooing. I was always fascinated by the strokes of a paintbrush and the linework of drawing,” Deni recalls. As he got older, he initially worked in a different field, immediately noticing the inborn creativity that never truly left him.

Earlier years of drawing and painting influenced a recognizable style combining fine line, microrealism, and geometric elements, which came instinctively applied with patience and precision.

“About six years ago, I ordered my first tattoo machine and started tattooing my closest friends, which quickly became a form of self-expression I fell in love with,” mentions Deni. Not long after, Deni opened his own tattoo studio in his hometown and worked there for several years until eventually relocating to Prague. As an artistically and culturally rich, awe-inspiring city, Prague is a creative’s playground. “I’ve already created several designs inspired by Prague, incorporating elements of the city’s architecture and atmosphere.”

Every client and every design have a different story. “Sometimes the client knows exactly what they want, sometimes they come in wanting one of my previous designs, and other times they come in with a basic idea, opening the door for more creativity,” explains Deni.

“Usually, the design starts with a process of understanding what the client connects with, the mood they want, and from there, the aesthetic and placement are curated. It’s always a pleasure to work with clients who are open to suggestions and trust the process of the artist.”

Back home in Macedonia, Deni was mostly working on his own, whereas in Prague, he’s part of a team that holds a constant collaborative pulse. Being part of the Yart atmosphere feeds into a sense of creative fuel through inspiration and talent, where new projects and designs await. “Every project is approached with the same enthusiasm and attention—my goal is to keep improving, creating good designs, and growing as an artist,” Deni explains.

Upon establishing himself in Prague, Deni noticed one of his biggest challenges was building a new client base from the ground up. “Moving to a new city means starting again, which takes time and patience,” notes Deni. Prague is not short of open and courageous individuals, so as a tattoo artist, it’s a treat to work with clients who are interested in original and authentic designs.

“One piece of advice I’d give to a foreign artist trying to establish themselves in the heart of Europe is just to start—growth is not promised as linear, but being authentically yourself will make the consistency worth it,” mentions Deni.

Ultimately, tracing roots to a canvas and then defining them with the cultural ink of Prague has allowed Deni to define success within his own craft.

“I feel lucky to do what I love and what I’m best at,” he reflects. “Being able to create something which holds a permanent story is already a reward in itself.”

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