NZ Body Art Showcase 2012

Taking audiences on a journey into unknown dimensions and show them never before seen creatures, the 2012 NZ Body Art Showcase returns to the Bruce Mason Centre this September – with the central theme being “The Future.”

The seventh annual NZ Extreme Make Up and Special Effects extravaganza has always offered the audience both contemporary and indigenous styles of body painting, but this year artists are asked to give their “glimpse into the future.” Gleaming scaly monsters, glow in the dark creatures and extraterrestrial beings glide across a continual catwalk, prophesying what we may come to expect in the light-years ahead.

This annual event has helped promote, showcase and celebrate excellence in extreme make up and special effects. Each year the event becomes more prestigious as the calibre and pool of contestants continue to grow. NZ Body Art Showcase has the ongoing support of Sir Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop and Auckland City and the hallowed event has become a destination for Hollywood to come and sample some of the imaginative, creative and simply stunning special effects New Zealand has garnered a strong reputation for.

The showcase has also in part helped New Zealand’s film industry gain a competitive advantage internationally. With the development of the film and television industry in New Zealand, this NZ Body Art and Makeup Extravaganza will again be a landmark for special effects make-up, body art and the art of illusion throughout the world. This brings with it international interest and helps to ensure the sustained future for special effects make-up artists in this country.

The awards promise to feature international artists alongside our own homegrown talent, with some international artists already registered for the September showcase. Registration for artists, models and volunteers are now open until 22 August 2012 and registration forms are available on www.nzbaa.co.nz.

Prior to the event (and highly recommended by NZBAA), the fine art body painting workshops, hosted by international body painting and world awards winners Alex Hansen and Tim Gratton, will take place on the 15th and 16th of September 2012. If you want to participate in exploring the craft of body painting in a spirit of joy and communal artistry, the NZBAA urge you to register now!