Lili, Juju Tattoo Studio

Juju tattoo studio used to be based in central London before moving to South Norwood. Made up of a team of three, Kasia and Lili (business partners) and Fernado, Juju is a tattoo shop which is customer based, with Lili calling it a ‘community tattoo shop’. They blend and work with the community, moving out of central London as they wanted to be part of a neighbourhood. They had a vision of a new style of tattoo studio. Traditional tattoo shops are known to be dark and dingey, but Juju is far from it. The studio is bright and artsy, the artists make all of their customers feel welcome and at ease and it the warmer months there is a waiting area outside the shop in the sun.

Lili was originally a hairdresser before turning to tattoo artistry later in life. She says that when she did it felt ‘like home’ and says she will never leave the profession until she retires. Both Kasia and Fernado have artistic backgrounds but all three are equally talented. 

Lili loves the friendliness of South Norwood and notes how homely it feels. She would like to see more tender love and care in the area, and suggested a neighbourhood watch could be a good asset to the community due to the reputation the area has. She highlights that the great transport links in and out of the centre are a major benefit which will pull more people into the area. 

This project was part of the South Drawood exhibition in 2022 by artist Jonny Kemp. A community art project celebrating the people of South Norwood, SE25.

From autumn of 2021 to summer 2022, Jonny drew 40 portraits of independent business owners, volunteers, and other movers and shakers from South Norwood, his local area. His partner Lizzie interviewed them.

South Norwood is regenerating yet doesn’t want to gentrify: it wants to keep its character and support people who already live in the area to prosper. This was Jonny and Lizzie’s way of ‘giving South Norwood a hug’: by representing the diverse people of SE25 through portraits in fine liner pen, and their own stories.

The portraits were displayed in Stanley Arts, a beautiful Edwardian arts venue on South Norwood Hill. Over 150 people attended the opening night: Friday 29th July 2022.