Healing Ink Visits Pulse Orlando Two Years Later

Ink For a Cause Hits Home For Pulse Survivors

“A Peace Activist and Tattooed Woman bring two Chicano artists, a Brooklynite, Miley Cyrus’ Buddy, Hair Guy, Hippie Girl, Biker Boy and a Freemason to Israel. NO, this isn’t the beginning to a weird drawn out joke, it’s the start of a radical initiative using the world’s most taboo art form in the world’s most taboo place to tattoo taboo subjects on taboo people in a way that will dramatically change the perception of tattooing and methods for healing.”

This is the biographical statement of a non-profit project called Healing Ink, a branch of the organization Artists 4 Israel created Craig Dershowitz and Nichole East. The group has brought art and healing around the world, bringing closure to everyone from 9/11 survivors and victims of terrorism in Israel. They recently made a special trip to Orlando Florida to tattoo the survivors and first responders of the Pulse nightclub shooting. On June 12th, 2016 a shooter killed 49 people and wounded 53 in an attack on Pulse nightclub. Pulse is a gay night club and it is believed that the attack was motivated by homophobia and transphobia. Artists 4 Israel brought some of the leading tattooers in the industry to Orlando and INKED got a chance to see the healing ink in motion. Take a look at the gallery below to learn more about the event and watch the video for yourself.

Watch the Video

Photography and Videography by Linneah Anders