Traditional Body Painting
While body painting is certainly back in vogue, it is not a new concept. The tradition has been prevalent in many ancient cultures, some of which practice it even today. In these ancient forms, dust or sand was used to create their "magic paintings".
Humans, in fact, have been painting their bodies with natural dyes, paints, pigments, tattoos, ash, and clay since prehistoric times. These markings that they made on their bodies were thought to have magical powers with which they could ward off evil spirits or tribal enemies. They also used it to celebrate auspicious occasions. This practice can still be seen in the indigenous populations of New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and certain parts of Africa. Henna, or Mehandi, which is made from an herb known by the same name, has been in use in India and the Middle East since ages, especially during auspicious ceremonies like weddings. Mehandi has grown in popularity in the West since the 1990s. The native populations of South America have been using wet charcoal, annatto, and huito to adorn their bodies and faces. Huito, which is a black dye, can take weeks to fade away.
Clowns and actors all over the world have been painting their faces, and sometimes even their bodies, for many centuries, which continues even today. It is speculated that the cosmetics that are in use today has evolved from more subdued forms of face painting.
Modern Body Painting
While body painting is certainly back in vogue, it is not a new concept. The tradition has been prevalent in many ancient cultures, some of which practice it even today. In these ancient forms, dust or sand was used to create their "magic paintings".
Humans, in fact, have been painting their bodies with natural dyes, paints, pigments, tattoos, ash, and clay since prehistoric times. These markings that they made on their bodies were thought to have magical powers with which they could ward off evil spirits or tribal enemies. They also used it to celebrate auspicious occasions. This practice can still be seen in the indigenous populations of New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and certain parts of Africa. Henna, or Mehandi, which is made from an herb known by the same name, has been in use in India and the Middle East since ages, especially during auspicious ceremonies like weddings. Mehandi has grown in popularity in the West since the 1990s. The native populations of South America have been using wet charcoal, annatto, and huito to adorn their bodies and faces. Huito, which is a black dye, can take weeks to fade away.
Clowns and actors all over the world have been painting their faces, and sometimes even their bodies, for many centuries, which continues even today. It is speculated that the cosmetics that are in use today has evolved from more subdued forms of face painting.
Modern Body Painting
With the
liberalization of thought and wider acceptance of public expression of
cultural freedom, especially regarding nudity, in the 1960s, body
painting as an art form has witnessed a revival in the West. However,
there is still debate today about whether body painting is truly an art
form, although its practitioners and followers have no doubt about it
being so. This is quite apparent not only in the proliferation of
parlors and artists, but also the festivals that are held regularly in
the United States and Europe.
In
body painting, a wide range of ideas are taken from various sources
like alternative art, fine arts, rune, mythologies, and even current
affairs. They can be related to occasions or events like political
protest movements or sports events, like soccer. In the post 1960s era,
several experimental methods were tried out, such as a model being
covered with paint and rolled on a canvas so that the paint was
transferred there. Depending on the paints used, whether multi-hued or
in monotones, the images that were created could be very interesting.
Usually, however, the paints are applied using paintbrushes, airbrushes,
natural sea sponges, or just by the fingers and hands. These days the
paints that are used are non-allergenic, non-toxic, and are easily
washable.
