Write by Lucas Lua
What does the writer say about himself?
“I was born in Brazil and have been passionate about drawing since childhood. Art has always been my way of understanding the world and expressing emotion . After years of exploring illustration on paper, transitioning to tattooing felt like a natural evolution —intimate, expressive, and alive. It allowed me to merge my artistic voice with human connection. My journey eventually brought me to Melbourne, Australia, where I live and work today as a full-time artist. As I became more rooted in the local community, I founded Empowerink — a project dedicated to transforming scars into meaningful tattoos. This initiative, along with my broader creative practice, reflects my deep belief in the power of art to heal, empower, and inspire transformation in people’s lives.”
What Lucas has to say about his project?
Scars often carry pain, silence, and memories we’d rather forget. But they also hold strength, survival, and untold stories. The Empower Ink project was born from this idea — a desire to transform what was once a symbol of suffering into a celebration of resilience through the art of tattooing.
As a tattoo artist, I’ve always believed in the power of art to heal and empower. This project is dedicated to individuals who carry scars from surgery, trauma, self-harm, or medical conditions. My mission is to help them reclaim their bodies and rewrite their narratives through meaningful, custom-designed tattoos.
Each session is deeply personal. I take the time to understand each person’s story, creating a design that not only complements the scar but also symbolizes healing, growth, and transformation. It’s a collaborative and sensitive process — one where art meets empathy.
Before:
After:
I’ve been honored to witness tears of relief, smiles of newfound confidence, and the quiet strength that emerges when someone begins to see their body in a new light. These moments remind me why this work matters.
Before： 
After: 
Empower Ink is not just about tattoos — it’s about turning wounds into beauty and pain into power. It’s a reminder that our scars don’t define us — they can, in fact, be our most beautiful marks.
I’m grateful to share this journey, and I believe this aligns with EMALLA’s mission to uplift artists and projects that make a real impact.
