A hand painting of a butterfly.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Western Painting - Body Painting - A Contemporary Yet Ancient Style of Being a Canvas
TO"ONG
Body Painting - The IntricaciesThe origin of body painting is unknown, but its use has been widespread - sometimes as an art form, sometimes as a part of tradition, and the other times, as a necessity. The evidence of body painting is found in ancient practices across various cultures and remains a popular fashion statement in the present times. There is no set style or technique for body painting. It can be a localized design or a fuller one, covering the entire body in some cases. The color pigments used can be natural or synthetic. Similarly, it can be a work of an expert or an amateurish hand of a novice. However, unlike permanent tattoos, body paints are temporary or semi-permanent in nature.
The Geographical Spread
Painting the body was prevalent in ancient Egyptian civilization, where Pharaohs and high-class individuals painted their faces in red ochre & white pigments, and eyes in kohl. The Himba group of Namibia also generously uses red ochre. These people paint their entire bodies in the uniform pigment, as a traditional practice. In India, body painting is an elaborate work of expertise, which requires training and a lot of experience. One of the best examples of this art is the make-up of Kathakali dancers that involves the use of white, red, black, and yellow colors against a base of bottle green color, on face.
The use of 'henna,' a natural plant extract, is very popular among the Indian women across the country and is again, done by trained experts. Henna is used for decorating the hands and feet in beautiful, complex designs. Native Americans use streaks, concentric circles, and other patterns of colors, which include red, white, yellow, blue, and black. The indigenous Yolngu people of Australia use detailed and painstaking technique to embellish their bodies. It is an inspiration for many other art forms and a job that only the experts can do.
Painted faces have been a trademark of comedians and mimics, throughout the history of performing arts. Body painting has found as much use in military operations, as in local communities. Facial colors, particularly in nature tones are heavily employed as camouflage by almost all armies in the world. Now days, this art has become a fad, especially among the youth and is treated more as an avant-garde fashion accessory, rather than as a religious belief. Across the US and Europe, body painting is used in theatre, cinema, fashion, carnivals, and body painting festivals. Despite facing criticism and rejection from various corners, this art continued to grow and is still evolving!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Body Painting - Picture Frame
TO"ONG
A semi-nude woman with her body painted in musical notes and she holding a 3D picture frame.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Body Painting Art - Nude Female and Male Body Painting
TO"ONG
In fact we are fond of painting our bodies since prehistoric times. In past we were used to paint our bodies with materials like natural dyes, paints and pigments. In some cases we used ash, and clay, too.
The markings that the people make on their bodies are thought to have magical powers with which one could ward off evil spirits or the tribal enemies. Such was the thinking in past. The painting of bodies was also coined with celebrating of auspicious occasions like New Year or a dance party. Same practice can still observed in the indigenous populations of the countries like New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and certain parts of Africa.
In India the women and men are fond of using Henna. It is a colour extracted from a plant of Henna; it is also known as Mehandi. This type of body painting with Henna has been a fashion in India and the Middle East since many years. People paint their hands and legs and other parts of body with Henna during auspicious ceremonies like weddings. The use of henna or Mehandi has become popular in the Western countries, too, since last two decades.
The art of body painting is not a new phenomenon in the countries of South America, too. People here have been using indigenous materials to paint their body and body parts. They use wet charcoal and other materials available in the local surrounding. In some parts of America, a material known as Huito is used to paint the bodies and faces. Huito is a black dye, and it takes weeks to fade away.
Amber Chia In Tiger Stripes
TO"ONG
Malaysian Supermodel Amber Chia earned her stripes for wildlife conservation Saturday by sitting still as her famous body was painted to look like a tiger.
She told reporters after the photo shoot at Mutiara Damansara that it took three hours but she did not mind as it was for a good cause.
The shoot was for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Asia Pacific.
Amber is the latest in the line of celebrities featured in a new anti-captivity advertisement for PETA.
Besides a jungle setting as the backdrop, she will also be photographed in a steel cage measuring 70cm x 70cm x 90cm.
The photographs will appear on posters and newspapers across the globe early next year in a campaign against zoos.
Next year, being the Year of the Tiger was among the reasons Amber was chosen to be a part of the campaign.
"She was chosen because she has a compassion for animals," senior PETA campaigner Ashley Fruno said.
Amber is the first Malaysian celebrity PETA had roped in to help their cause to urge people to boycott zoos.
"Wild animals belong in the wild. An animal that lives a long and healthy life but dies in the wild is not worse off than animals which spend all their lives pacing in enclosures," Fruno said.
She told reporters after the photo shoot at Mutiara Damansara that it took three hours but she did not mind as it was for a good cause.
The shoot was for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Asia Pacific.
Amber is the latest in the line of celebrities featured in a new anti-captivity advertisement for PETA.
Besides a jungle setting as the backdrop, she will also be photographed in a steel cage measuring 70cm x 70cm x 90cm.
The photographs will appear on posters and newspapers across the globe early next year in a campaign against zoos.
Next year, being the Year of the Tiger was among the reasons Amber was chosen to be a part of the campaign.
"She was chosen because she has a compassion for animals," senior PETA campaigner Ashley Fruno said.
Amber is the first Malaysian celebrity PETA had roped in to help their cause to urge people to boycott zoos.
"Wild animals belong in the wild. An animal that lives a long and healthy life but dies in the wild is not worse off than animals which spend all their lives pacing in enclosures," Fruno said.
