On the outskirts of Chiplun, Konkan lies a small house with constantly rotating inhabitants. They tend to leave with more tattoos on their skin than they arrived with, taking life-long markers of their transient time there with them. Red Earth House isn’t a concept tattoo parlour or a holiday getaway; it’s a home.
Abhishek and Corrie Shirsat have created an opportunity to cultivate community and relish in a collective artist’s space. The pair of tattoo artists lived nomadically for three years, and while they have now set their roots in Konkan, their explorative spirit lives on through the Red Earth House concept. They focus on slow tattooing, wherein visitors are welcome to stay in their home for overnight stay appointments on a seasonal basis.
However, the relationships they form aren’t transactional. While Red Earth House is a tattoo studio in some senses, it is also about building genuine connections. The house allows you to eat, sing, build, and create, with both the artists and other visitors. It’s “A home for curious beings,” a chance to learn and grow through collaboration and bonding with others.
Abhishek and Corrie’s distinct tattoo styles are also a major factor in Red Earth House’s appeal. As a nature conservationist and snake researcher, Abhishek’s creative practice centres his passions. He draws directly onto people’s skin, following the natural motion of one’s skin and body with the lines of his snakes. His work is beautiful not just for his clear artistic talent, but also for how each tattoo takes its host into account.
Corrie is a mark-maker; her work delves into the world of pattern, using markings that evoke the folk traditions of the places she has inhabited and loved. Her enthusiasm for textile art seems to seep into the rich texture of her lines and shapes.
Red Earth House isn’t just a place for tattoos — it's a living, breathing embodiment of connection, artistry, and self-expression, a space where every mark tells a story, not just of the artist but also of the individual who carries it. In this home-turned-artist sanctuary, visitors leave not only with permanent artwork but with a sense of belonging.
Learn more about Red Earth House here.
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