Dressed only in Kiwiana

MEDIA RELEASE

18 February 2010

A woodland sprite ‘dressed’ only in Kiwiana body art designs was in residence at Taupo Museum’s 100% Pure New Zealand Ora Garden of Wellbeing yesterday. 

The ‘sprite’, well known New Zealand bodybuilder Ali Gascoine, was painted at the museum as part of a week of workshops and demonstrations being held in the lead up to the New Zealand Festival of Body Art opening this Friday evening in Taupo. 

Ali was expertly painted by Nicole Heydenrijk, one of the founders of Wellington’s ‘Body FX’ a company specialising in body and face art, makeup and special effects prosthetics. Nicole has many years experience in the industry and has won numerous awards for her artistic and colourful designs in national competitions as well as on the world stage.

Visitors to Taupo Museum were fascinated to see the designs evolve as Ali was painted during the day. Nicole worked in the art gallery with a backdrop of stunning photos from the 2009 New Zealand Body Art Awards. This exhibition called ‘Walking Art’ by Auckland photographer Gino Demeer is on at the museum until 9 March.

The Grand Opening for the Festival of Body Art is on at Taupo’s Unison Amphitheatre, in Riverside Park this Friday, 19 February, at 6pm with a free evening of entertainment. The theme for the 2010 festival is Maori Myths and Legends.

A busy round of events and activities throughout the weekend is planned designed to introduce people to the amazing world of body art. Professional and novice painters, models, prosthetics, mask and makeup artists will create the animals, monsters, creatures and fantasy characters onstage often only seen in the movies. 

Body art competitions for special effects artists and body painters are being held on Saturday with their designs being presented on the catwalk at the Riverside Park amphitheatre. A Youth Town body art family competition and picnic event is planned for Sunday.

Contact:
Karen Williams
Museum Manager
Taupo Museum
Ph 07 376 0415