With visuals from last year's awards that conjure up the works of Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth", Japan's Visual Kei movement and the tradition of tribal art, the NZ Body Art Awards looks to further push creative boundaries when it bursts into theatrical life on June 14 at the North Shore Events Centre for one public show only.

The spotlight will be on the art of special effects make-up, bodypainting, illusion and prosthetic techniques. NZ Body Art Awards brainchild, Mem Bourke, says the event serves to showcase, acknowledge and promote the many talented and hardworking New Zealanders practising the various complimentary art forms.With visuals from last year's awards that conjure up the works of Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth", Japan's Visual Kei movement and the tradition of tribal art, the NZ Body Art Awards looks to further push creative boundaries when it bursts into theatrical life on June 14 at the North Shore Events Centre for one public show only.

The spotlight will be on the art of special effects make-up, bodypainting, illusion and prosthetic techniques. NZ Body Art Awards brainchild, Mem Bourke, says the event serves to showcase, acknowledge and promote the many talented and hardworking New Zealanders practising the various complimentary art forms."It's our mission is to promote New Zealand as a centre of expertise in body art, make-up and special effects to local and international film and television production networks," says Ms Bourke.

The awards will be judged by artists and effects professionals including head judge Weta Workshop director and Academy Award-winner Richard Taylor.

Unlike the traditional catwalk presentation of previous years, this year the event comes alive with a theatrical experience and a journey of music and dance. Dancers from the Apollo Dance Theatre, neon poi exhibitions, body builders and the kids from YouthTown will all come together for one night along with the amazing talents of Tai Royal and Taane Mete (formerly of Blackgrace).

Now in their third successful year The Awards and showcase event are designed not only to promote this growing industry but to also "enhance a positive image for youth and graduates of this excitingly diverse art form" says founder and director Mem Bourke. The event also provides a platform for talented artists to seek employment overseas in the film and theatre industries.

Supported by North Shore City and in association with YouthTown, The 2008 Body Art Awards welcomes the head judge from Weta Workshop Studio's director and five time Academy Award winner, Richard Taylor. "My compliments on such an invigorating and inspired concept. I am very pleased to see that someone has taken it on with such professionalism and respect to the artists," says Taylor.

"I'm honoured to be back at this event and am looking forward to being both a spectator and a judge at this year's awards.

"Mem has a fantastic rapport with local artists and is deeply passionate about the art form and that comes through making the event the fantastic event that it is," says Mr Taylor.

The audience can also witness advancements in special effect make-up and Weta Workshops will no doubt be keeping an eye on the latest wave of talent they can pick for the blooming New Zealand film industry.

This year's awards already have a Hollywood connection with acclaimed make-up artist, Howard Berger, visiting New Zealand as an Awards judge. Berger joins an esteemed panel of judges including film celebrities Temuera Morrison (to be confirmed) and Lawrence Makoara, Weta Workshop's Richard Taylor, David Minifie (Minifies Make-Up), Elizabeth Osborn (Top Mark Products), Frances Richardson (Make Up Supervisor at the Workshop) and Odel Toi (renowned Maori Master carver).

The awards feature nine categories, including airbrush, hand painting, prosthetics, masquerade, tribal and fluorescent illusion.

Since its inception the awards season looks to expand upon the number of artists involved in previous years. In its second year, the awards peaked from 40 artists to 76 and this year looks to have an expected close to 100 entries - 40 per cent of those professional while the remaining 60 per cent are students at the top of their studies.

Audiences also lap up the visual spectacular and have doubled in size since the 2006 event premiere. The NZ Body Art Awards was named Winner of the 2006 NZAEP Event Industry Award for Best Emerging Event.

North Shore City's city promotion, tourism and events manager, Jennah Wootten, believes the event is shaping up to become the flagship arts event for North Shore City.

"The NZ Body Art Awards is a fantastic and exciting event and our support of it demonstrates our city's commitment to supporting innovative and creative initiatives," says Ms Wootten.

The theme for this year's event is jungle and audience members are encouraged to come dressed in their interpretation of the theme. Participants will win spot prizes throughout the evening, with the winner snapping up a holiday get-away in a Kea Campervan courtesy of Kea.

New Zealand Body Art Awards 2008
Saturday 14th June 2008, 7.30pm, North Shore Events Centre, Glenfield, North Shore

BOOKINGS:
Table Seating Bookings available through NZ Body Art Awards Office. Enquiries to liz@bodyartawards.co.nz
Gallery Seating bookings through Ticketek or 0800 TICKETEK

Pictured: By Yolanda Bartram from the 2007 NZ Body Art Awards.
Video: TV3 Campbell Live interview with Yolanda

07/06/08