Interview by Sara Gray on July 31, 2025
What does it take to build one of the most recognisable tattoo studios in Poland – from scratch? In this exclusive interview, we speak with Tamara Shatirishvili (@tomagematoma), one of the three co-founders of PÓRTICO Tattoo Gallery in Warsaw, about the creative and strategic thinking behind the brand. From a spontaneous idea to a space that now sets standards in tattoo aesthetics, this is a story of bold choices, strong visual identity, and building a business grounded in values, sincerity, and style. Whether you’re a tattoo artist, studio owner, or just fascinated by creative entrepreneurship – Tamara’s journey offers inspiration and insight.
1. Let’s go back to the beginning. Opening a tattoo studio in a foreign country is a bold step. What gave you the confidence to build PÓRTICO in Warsaw, and how did that decision take shape?
It all started as a bit of a joke. My husband, Alex (@alexthroy), and I were in Barcelona at the time, and our friend Asya Sitarska (@asya.sitarska) was in Warsaw. We casually said, “Let’s open a studio together!” But then we thought – why not? I’ve always been open to new adventures, and I tend to approach big steps in life with lightness and curiosity.
Of course, from idea to reality, there were nine full months of bureaucratic hell – nothing romantic about that part. But somehow, even the chaos made it more exciting. That moment of fun turned into a serious decision, and eventually, PÓRTICO was born.
2. You’ve said that PÓRTICO was created as a space that reflects your values. What were some of the key ideas or feelings you wanted this place to embody from the very start?
First of all, the three of us agreed right away: if we’re going to open something, it has to carry a meaning. A deeper idea behind it.
I’ve always lived by the principle that every action I take should have a message – a reflection of how I see and feel life. So for me, it was never about just “opening a studio,” but about building a space that says something real.
3. You describe PÓRTICO not as a studio or salon, but as a tattoo gallery. That’s a powerful distinction. Could you tell us more about that concept – and how it shapes the experience for both artists and clients?
Our concept is all about the connection between tattooing and fine art.
Even the name PÓRTICO is a kind of wordplay-an entry point, a threshold, a space that leads from one world to another.
For a long time, the walls of our studio held empty canvases with no images on them. It was a quiet symbol of how, in today’s world, visual art no longer lives only on walls-it moves onto the bodies of people.
Each person can create their own gallery, filled with meaning and memories that stay with them always. And we’re just there to help shape it.
I also personally refuse to treat tattooing as a service or a business. For me, it’s a form of artistic expression-just like painting, music, cinema, or literature. It carries emotion, philosophy, and individuality. That’s what we try to protect and celebrate in our space.
4. Many studios offer tattoos. Few build a visual identity as recognisable as yours. What do you think makes PÓRTICO so instantly memorable?
I think it’s because the three of us share a very similar sense of taste – and that makes all the difference.
From the beginning, we wanted PÓRTICO to feel like a single, living organism, where every detail contributes to a cohesive whole: the interior, the music, the atmosphere, even our Instagram. We wanted people to feel completely immersed in our aesthetic the moment they step in.
5. Running a business with close friends is both rewarding and delicate. Four years in, what has helped you maintain such a strong bond with your partners, even through the inevitable challenges?
I’m incredibly grateful to my partners that we’re still so close – and that we never let outside challenges damage the warm, sincere bond we’ve built.
Running a studio is far from easy. It becomes a part of you, and sometimes it’s hard to separate your personal emotions from the studio’s ups and downs. Finding that balance takes a lot of self-awareness, the ability to truly listen to one another, and a willingness to compromise when needed.
6. Do you remember the first moment you realised PÓRTICO was becoming one of the most recognisable studios in Poland? What was that like for you?
I think it really hit me when we started noticing other studios popping up with a similar vibe – and especially when I met tattoo artists from different parts of Europe, the U.S., or even Korea, and they already knew about PÓRTICO.
And of course, when people started gossiping about us – that’s always a funny but clear sign you’re doing something noticeable.
7. You’ve created a beautiful space – clients often mention the aesthetic, the atmosphere, and the people.
For us, creating a coherent atmosphere was essential from the very beginning. We wanted every detail – from the interior to the music – to feel like it belonged together. Luckily, it came quite naturally, because it was simply an extension of our personalities and shared vision.
We’ve spent a beautiful four years in our first location, but now it’s time for a new chapter. We’ve just moved into a new space, and it’s slowly beginning to take shape. We’re excited to see how this new environment will grow and reflect the next phase of our journey.
8. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the early days – especially as a foreigner opening a business in Poland?
The biggest challenge is always working with people.
Everything depends on who is beside you – and, as my friend likes to say, whether your moral compasses are pointing in the same direction.
9. How do you approach building your team? What do you look for in the artists you invite to join PÓRTICO?
First and foremost, we look for artists who express themselves – who share our values and maintain a high standard of tattoo quality.
We also love welcoming different styles into the team. At PÓRTICO, you can find fine line, abstraction, florals, micro-realism, blackwork, graphic, and more.
10. Finding clients is one thing; attracting the right clients is another. How do people typically discover your gallery – and how do you build lasting trust with them?
Like attracts like.
What I love about our clients is that they often notice exactly the things we try to express. It’s also incredibly meaningful that people travel from all over the world to visit us – such trust is never taken for granted.
11. As a co-founder, how do you personally define success for PÓRTICO – not in numbers, but in values or impact?
For me, the biggest success is knowing that we’ve helped many talented artists grow and that we’ve set a tone for a new kind of atmosphere in the tattoo world in Poland. Creating a space that inspires, supports, and elevates others – that’s the kind of impact that truly matters to me
12. Running a creative business is a constant balancing act. What’s the hardest part of being both an artist and a business owner – and what’s the most rewarding?
What I’ve realized over the years is that I’m not a businessperson – and I don’t see the studio as a business. Everything I do, whether it’s tattooing or running the studio, comes from intuition and conscience. I don’t calculate profit the way traditional businesses do. For me, the most important thing is self-expression and staying true to my values. Interestingly, when I follow that path, it often leads to good results anyway.
13. What is something about PÓRTICO that you’re deeply proud of, but that people might not immediately see from the outside?
Maybe it’s our message – our intention behind the studio. We don’t talk about it much, so not everyone knows there’s a deeper idea behind what we do. But nothing here is random.
14. What kind of legacy do you hope PÓRTICO will leave in the Polish tattoo scene – or in the wider world of contemporary tattoo art?
I hope PÓRTICO will be remembered as more than just a tattoo studio.
For us, it was always about the message – about showing that tattooing is a form of art, not a service.
That it can hold deep meaning, personal symbolism, and aesthetic intention – just like painting, music, or cinema.
We didn’t want to follow trends; we wanted to create something sincere and lasting.
If we managed to inspire even a few artists to treat their work with more depth and reflection – or to build spaces filled with soul and intention – then I believe we did something important.
15. Finally, what’s next? Where do you see the gallery evolving in the next few years – creatively, professionally, or even geographically?
It’s hard to predict anything right now – life moves fast, and both personal shifts and changes in the tattoo scene are already unfolding.
But whatever happens, I hope we’ll continue to stay honest with ourselves, no matter what decisions we have to make.
If PÓRTICO leaves anything behind, I want it to be the reminder that tattooing can be thoughtful, artistic, and soulful.
That it’s worth creating with meaning – and living with meaning too.
Follow their studio on Instagram: @portico.gallery