GenQ

If New Zealand wanted to make their mark on the international map in regards to visual arts, this would be the event to do it. Sponsored by North Shore City Council, the NZ Body Art Awards for 2008 splashed out colour and energy on Saturday night. These awards showcase and celebrate New Zealand body artists and the canvas they paint on. With a judging panel consisting of WETA workshop’s Richard Taylor and Lord of the Rings actor Lawrence Makoare, the audience knew the talent was on stage, and off.

Despite the delay in opening the show, the awards began in style, with the kids of Youthtown performing a gorgeous movement piece to prepare us for what lay ahead. First Act categories carried descriptions such as fantasy creatures and fluorescence, filling the night with mystery and intrigue as line after line of creations paraded on the catwalk. It was fantastic to see how committed to their character each model was, as one man lay on the floor propped up on his hands and elbows portraying a lizard the entire night; the stunt earning him recognition with the adoring crowd as he was awarded the best performing model award.

After a short interval, the second act brought out more outrageous designs and fabulous demonstrations of artistic ability. Prosthetic and masquerade masks manipulated the models even further while the tribal and Ta Moko Maori categories showcased the beauty and diversity of ethnic groups around the world.

Before announcing the category and overall winners, an energetic number from guest performers Okareka entertained on a slightly different level with high heels, feather boas and Janet Jackson’s single ‘Don’t Stop’. Some moves had the drag queens looking like they came right out of the recent showing of Priscilla and scored the loudest applause and squeals all night.

The entire catalogue of painted models paraded for us one last time before the category winners stood aside to await the overall supreme winner for 2008. Carmel McCormick took out the award again, making it back to back wins for her.

So with another year, another theme and another set of winners behind them, NZ Body Art Awards are just starting to get revved up for an explosion onto the international stage. New Zealand’s artists are sure to stand out if the quality of this year is anything to go by. Be sure to check it out next year!

Prosthetic and Rubber Mask category winner Magdalena O’Connor spoke with GenQ about her experience of the awards. “I met Mem Bourke (Body Arts Awards Creative Director) and Mem was asking for volunteers. I thought it sounded like fun.  As soon as I picked up an airbrush, I was hooked!  I have been a contestant in the awards for the past two years, placing second in the flouresecent category last year.“

This year the 26 year old, full time artist entered in two categories – one model in the fluorescent section and two latex masks in the prosthetic section, one of which took out the top prize at this year’s awards.

When asked what her favourite art medium was to work with, Magdalena responded, “My favourite medium to work with is wire, so rather than just do a body paint this year I have created creatures my models (five in total) will wear, out of wire.  I'm also using latex masks and some paint.  Basically I am making extensions of my models' bodies, challenging the limitations of the human form.”

 “Body art is much more exciting and challenging, as your model walks and talks and breathes and comes to live,  whereas a canvas is flat and no matter how much life you put into it, it will never dance” Magdalena explains, regarding the contrast between body art and all other art forms. “When I create body art I hope to bring a fantasy or illusion to life”.

And simply put to end the interview, when asked why the Body Arts Awards are important for New Zealand art and art in general, she remarked “The awards are important for NZ artists, as they give us a place to showcase our talent.  They also create work opportunities, in what is a very narrow field in New Zealand.” 

NZ BODY ART AWARDS 2008 WINNERS:

North Shore City Supreme Award: Carmel McCormick

Jerry Clayton BMW Best High Performance Model: Levi (model for Carmel
McCormick's lizard)

Youthtown Best Emerging Artist: Kelly Zhong Ni Ren

New World Victoria Park Hand Painted Body Art
Winner: Carmel McCormick (first equal with two entries)
Special Commendation: Kelly Zhong Ni Ren

Air Brushed Body Art sponsored by Minifies Make-up
Winner: Yolanda Bartram
Special Commendation; Philip DuChard

Masquerade Mask sponsored by Xfacda
Winner: Estela Shen
Special Commendation: Tracy Trinder

Fantasy sponsored by Weta Workshop
Winner: Kym Stevenson
Special Commendation: Michele Perry

Creatures Sponsored by Weta Workshop
Winner: Estela Shen
Special Commendation: Andrea Hows

World of Fluorescent Illusion sponsored by idesign
Winner: Nicole Heydenrijk
Special Commendation: Dara Wakely

Prosthetic and Rubber Masks sponsored by Top Mark Products
Winner: Magdalena O'Connor
Special Commendation: Maria Wood

Indigenous Category

Winner: Jennifer Savannah
Special Commendation: Kim Boyd

Te Puni Kokiri Ta Moko Maori
Winner: Hayley Marlow
Special Commendation: Bobby McDonald

Tags: body art, New Zealand