Body Art

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Body Art explores the many different ways, both temporary and permanent, in which people modify, change, decorate and adorn their bodies. It covers the what, why, how and where of 'body art'. Themes covered include: universality, diversity and antiquity of styles; concepts of beauty; identity and transformation; meaning and significance of symbols; and pain, endurance and rites of passage.

Painting

Of all the forms of body art, body painting is the most temporary. Many designs painted on the body are specific to a certain event, or are used to mark a particular occasion.

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Shaping

While some forms of body art mostly mark the body surface, other body adornments radically alter the silhouette or the actual shape of the body. Such alterations are often based on a culturally validated aesthetic rather than on issues of role or status within the community.

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Image gallery

Tattoo Portraits

Tattooing

Tattooing is one of the oldest forms of body art. The impetus to decorate and adorn is essentially a human characteristic and is something that people have always done.