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Adam CurlykaleRussian-born Briton with tattoos covering 90% of his body
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Adam Kurlykale: The Man with 90% of His Body Covered in Tattoos
- A Quest for Identity and Acceptance
- Physical and Emotional Transformation
- Reactions and Discrimination
- Multifaceted Artist and Advocate
- Legacy and Self-Empowerment
Adam Kurlykale: The Man with 90% of His Body Covered in Tattoos
From Battling Cancer to Embracing Body ModificationAdam Kurlykale, a 32-year-old Russian-born Briton, has covered 90% of his body in tattoos, including his eyeballs, and shows no signs of stopping. His first tattoo, "I am," adorning his arm, was inked 12 years ago. Today, Kurlykale has transformed himself into a canvas of black ink, with plans to complete the remaining 10%. The only areas left untouched are his armpits, palms, soles of his feet, and buttocks.
A Quest for Identity and Acceptance
"I have always known that I stand out from the rest of society," Kurlykale says. "Black has always been my favorite color, the spectrum of it, and that's why my skin is now charcoal." He designs his own tattoos, envisioning a specific image of himself and working towards it gradually. "Life is so short, so I stopped thinking about tomorrow," he adds. "Life is here and now."
Physical and Emotional Transformation
Born in Kaliningrad, Russia, and raised in Poznan, Poland, Kurlykale now resides in London. His journey into body modification was sparked by a life-altering health battle. At the age of 22, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. The subsequent radiation, chemotherapy, molecular therapy, and stem cell therapy left him with a weakened immune system.
Although he recovered, his body bore the scars of the disease, leaving him pale and prone to skin conditions. Kurlykale spiraled into depression, developed an eating disorder, and attempted suicide. "I couldn't accept myself because people didn't accept me," he recalls. "Tattoos allowed me to rediscover myself. I became beautiful to myself."
In September 2017, Kurlykale inked his eyeballs and completed the coverage of his face. He documented his transformation on Instagram.
Reactions and Discrimination
"People can't be neutral about me," says Kurlykale. "They either love me or hate me. They either admire me or they want to throw up." While he has faced verbal and physical abuse for his appearance, especially in Poland, he has also found acceptance in cities like Berlin, Stockholm, and London.
"The world is not ready for people like me," Kurlykale remarks. "But I approach people and show them that we can live differently, we can live better."
Multifaceted Artist and Advocate
Beyond his work as a tattoo artist, Kurlykale is also a psychologist, cosmetologist, painter, hairdresser, and singer. His unconventional appearance has led him into an "alternative modeling" career.
"People like me are not represented in the media," he says. "People are afraid to take the risk and promote body modification. I'm simply not taken seriously. People judge me as someone who can't be serious because of the way I look."
Despite the challenges, Kurlykale remains determined to live authentically and inspire others. He hopes to find someone who shares his values and loves him for who he is, both inside and out.
Legacy and Self-Empowerment
"I'm not that different from anybody else," Kurlykale says. "I eat, I sleep, I cry, and I laugh just like everyone else. I'm not better or worse. I am just me, and that's enough."
He believes that one day, he will leave a legacy of someone who took risks, lived their truth, and found peace within themselves. "I will die knowing that I was the person who was not afraid to take the risk, who lived for himself, not for others."
