A tattoo artist has left social media users stunned after creating a perfect circle that only reveals itself when the wearer moves into a specific position.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The striking geometric design was created by Berlin-based tattoo artist Chaim Machlev, better known by his Instagram handle @DotsToLines, whose work has become renowned for using the body’s natural shape as part of the artwork itself.
The tattoo wraps entirely around a client’s torso and only forms a perfect circle when the guy places his hands on his lower back. The design also looks strikingly beautiful when the wearer is at rest.
The ambitious piece wasn’t completed in a single sitting either.
The incredible design was completed across two sessions, with the back being completed first and the front finished a few months after.
Machlev later shared the finished result himself on Instagram, revealing just how long the concept had taken to bring together.
He wrote: “Finally got to finish the front on this champ! The back, done last winter, is now fully healed and settled. Huge thanks for your trust, I’m beyond happy with how it turned out.
“Wish I had the chance to capture it from more angles… there’s always more to discover in a concept piece like this.”
The finished tattoo demonstrates why.
From the front, a single black line curves across the client’s shoulders before sweeping around the outside of both arms. A matching section continues around the back, creating what appears to be two disconnected arcs while the arms rest naturally behind the body.
Viewed from behind, the same illusion continues, with the line running across the upper back before curving around each arm.
The design quickly captured the imagination of Instagram users, many of whom described it as one of the most creative tattoos they had ever seen.
One person wrote: “This is the most fascinating and beautiful tattoo I’ve ever seen! Absolutely incredible!”
Another simply commented: “This is beyond surreal”
A third added: “Incredible!”
One tattoo artist praised the concept by writing: “Not just a Tattoo. It’s brilliant, beautifull and so ingenious. À Masterpiece. Bravo!”
Another viewer compared the work to one of history’s greatest artists, saying: “Da Vinci would be proud”
Even fellow tattoo artist Tete Ink was impressed, commenting: “Stunning!!!”
Machlev has built a reputation for creating geometric tattoos that interact with the body’s movement rather than sitting statically on the skin, and this latest design is another example of that philosophy.
He’s also created some fascinating designs for couples – check them out below along with some other incredible inkings:
Featured image credit: Instagram/@dotstolines
