Body art consists of body painting, tattoo, body piercing, scarification, etc. Here, we will take a peek into the world of body painting, which has since become a popular trend in many countries such as China, South Korea, Canada and Australia. Considered to be an ancient form of art, body artists from different cultures beautify and decorate the bodies with a variety of materials and techniques to mark a significant occasion, a specific event or simply to express themselves. Unlike body tattoo, body painting is temporary and can only last for a short period of time.

The materials used for body paintings are non-toxic and non-allergic. It is time consuming to paint on a human body. The artist takes a few hours to complete each individual piece of work, ranging from floral designs to artistic patterns. Full concentration is required to achieve the desired result. Once completed, the body paintings turn into attractive pieces of artwork that are admired by people from all over the world.

Below is a collection of some of the most captivating and inspiring body paintings.

A traditional Chinese motif that signifies wealth and prosperity, as highlighted by the splash of blue waves across the model’s body.

A refine and elegant piece of art with elaborated patterns around the chest area of a model during an exhibition.

Take a closer look and you will notice a woman who is covered by the black-and-white floral painting.

This piece highlights the different shades of blue, green and turquoise of the water lily, signifying a sense of calmness and serenity.

A sleek and cool piece that exudes a silvery and mysterious charm. It has been drawn with much emphasis around the model’s neck.

Featuring The Blue Willow, this piece uses the blue and white colors to depict two birds, a willow tree, a tea house, etc. amidst an array of Oriental symbols.

This elegant piece is outstanding in every way with a great study in gold which gives it much detail and texture.

This design is modern and abstract which is an absolute contrast to the traditional Chinese dress. 

Here’s a baby crocodile floating in the air! No, crocodiles are too heavy to float…it’s actually being carried by a model. Painted in scaly patches, the crocodile might have mistaken her for its mother.

Here, the model is seen in painted hard-core leather, which is a breakaway from the femininity of the traditional Chinese Qipao (Cheongsam).

If you don’t look carefully, you may not be able to find the model’s face. Just give it a second try and you will notice that she is actually looking down. This floral piece is a wonderful camouflage!

This Qipao is entwined with flowers that have been skillfully drawn on the body to give it a touch of elegance. 

This painting depicts a virtuous lady catching a butterly in the garden. It portrays the simple and carefree lifestyles of noble women in ancient China.

A beautiful piece of floral painting on the graceful body of an Asian model. 

Known as the flower of wealth and prosperity, the peony is a floral symbol of Chinese art. The vibrant colors bring life to the Qipao.

Much time and effort is used to paint the patterns and designs on the body. They resemble some kind of ancient pictorial language. 

As body paintings become increasingly acceptable, we should expect to see more of them in the near future. These wonderful pieces of artwork are bound to make heads turn! 

All photos courtesy of Flickr.