Originally from Cagliari, Sardinia, from a very young age Viviana Spiga embraced her creativity, continually reinventing herself until she found her professional path.
After completing her secondary education at a specialised arts school, she decided to train as a tattoo artist and microblading expert, a now popular semi-permanent eyebrow makeup technique. “At 15, I also wanted to study at a sewing school, and today I can say that I am also a seamstress and patternmaker; I like to keep busy!" she said, smiling.
Following her initial work experience carried out in her homeland, Spiga and her husband decided to move to Australia in March 2019, settling down in Melbourne.
“I didn't want to stay in Italy any longer; it’s a wonderful country that I love deeply, but there were too many problems,” she continued.
“Unfortunately, if you don't have a job with a slightly higher than average salary, you tend to survive from month to month. My husband has always loved Australia. One day, he came home and told me he had organised our flights. I didn't hesitate for a moment; we packed our bags and left shortly afterwards.”
During her first year in Australia, Spiga attended an English language school, which is a requirement for those wanting to obtain a student visa. Twelve months later, her husband Fabio Scifoni specialised in cooking and gastronomy and started working at the renowned restaurant, Grossi Florentino. Driven by determination to start her career on Australian soil, Spiga opened her own studio in Moonee Ponds. Unfortunately, the pandemic stopped her in her tracks - beauty services were in fact the first businesses ordered to close due to Covid restrictions, as well as the last to reopen.
“I wanted to start practising my profession right away; I didn't want to get lost in the whirlwind of my first few restaurant jobs. The Italian community were the ones who gave me the most confidence, especially the Italians who have migrated most recently,” she recounted.
“It really went very well, despite the repeated forced isolations and difficulties of the last few years. I think that if a job is done well, then it will be kept alive, if only by word of mouth.”
Today, Viviana Spiga operates her new salon in Windsor. 'Viviana Sp Tattoo', offers tattoos defined by their fine line and dot work – a style which finds its origins in Georges Seurat's late 19th century pointillist technique.
“[When it comes to microblading] I prefer simplicity and naturalness; nothing that looks fake," she added.
She also recently completed a tattoo removal course for those who regret the “choices of youth” and have plans to erase them.
“We don't want to leave Australia anymore, we have no intention of going back,” Spiga continued, talking about her future. “We feel valued here; we have found our way.”
