Swasthik Iyengar — GUNGA MA

Artist · Tattooer · Cultural Storyteller

Overview

Swasthi Iyengar, known professionally as GUNGA MA, is an artist and tattooer whose work bridges ancient symbolism, ritual practice, and contemporary visual culture. Rooted in South Asian iconography and spiritual cosmology, her imagery feels both timeless and urgently present — ceremonial without being precious, powerful without spectacle.

Her work exists at the intersection of tattooing, painting, and cultural preservation, guided by a deep respect for lineage and lived experience. Each piece functions not only as an image, but as a carrier of meaning — devotional, protective, and expressive all at once.

Practice & Philosophy

GUNGA MA’s visual language draws from Hindu cosmology, sacred geometry, folk traditions, and personal mythology. Whether rendered on skin or canvas, her work emphasizes intentionality: symbols are chosen carefully, compositions are balanced intuitively, and the act of making is treated as ritual.

Tattooing, in her practice, is not trend-based or ornamental. It is ceremonial and relational — a collaboration between artist, wearer, and story. This approach places her within a long global lineage of tattoo practitioners who see the medium as cultural transmission rather than fashion.

Tattooing & Skateboarding: Shared Lineage

Tattooing and skateboarding have historically evolved as parallel subcultures — both shaped by resistance, self-definition, and community outside of institutional frameworks. Skate graphics have long borrowed from tattoo aesthetics, and tattooers have helped define the visual language of skateboarding for decades.

GUNGA MA’s work represents a rare and authentic continuation of this relationship. Her collaboration with Space Pupil reflects a shared belief in skateboarding as a cultural platform — one that honors art, ritual, and individuality over trend cycles.

Space Pupil Collaboration

In 2026, Space Pupil and GUNGA MA come together for a limited-edition pro model skateboard release, featuring original hand-painted artwork created specifically for the project. The collaboration extends beyond the board itself, encompassing:

Original painted artwork
Custom tattoo flash designed exclusively for the release
A curated tattoo activation at the release event
Select apparel and printed materials

This collaboration centers on intentional creation, cultural respect, and shared values — not mass production.

Selected Media

(Links to be added)

Artist interviews
Studio or process videos
Tattoo documentation
Exhibition or event coverage

Upcoming

Space Pupil x GUNGA MA Release Event
March 21, 2026 — Southern California

Featuring:

Limited-edition pro model skateboard
Live tattoo activation
Custom flash exclusive to the event

Representation on Space Pupil

This page is part of an ongoing Space Pupil Artist Archive, highlighting collaborators past and present whose work contributes meaningfully to skateboarding culture. Future artist profiles will include painters, designers, tattooers, and skateboarders from around the world — including longtime contributors and international voices.

More images, interviews, and documentation will be added as this collaboration continues.